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Post by ◊◊BLOODBEASTER◊◊ on May 7, 2016 16:19:16 GMT -8
>>GM
The Tower 801 posse milled around the parking garage, catching their breaths and trying to recover from the journey. Davin gestured to the stairwell and could not be heard over the din of the crowd. He shrugged and ran up the stairs. A man, Abdul-Rahman, and a woman were the ones to greet the tired people.
Abdul-Rahman-
"Welcome everyone! I apologize that most of our group is asleep, we have been working all through the night. If you would like to rest, I recommend you go to the top floor. Everyone is sleeping in the community center today, until we prepare rooms. You are welcome to go there, we have some food and water for you as well."
The woman shyly nodded.
Woman-
"My name's Susie, please let me know if you need any help getting upstairs."
>>BEN 
Ben-
Once inside the 403 building, Ben was very eager to exchange information with Abdul-Rahman.
"I live here too, but tell me about that radio. And have you seen any ghosts? Or demons?"
>>GM
Abdul-Rahman-
"Oh yes, we've radios on the roof and down here in the garage. They haven't much range but they have been useful to us."
He showed Ben a small walkie-talkie device with "AMAZON" emblazoned on it.
Abdul-Rahman -
"Ghosts... I am not certain, I am afraid. One zombie looked like a normal woman, and even spoke and lured us into her room. She floated and... well, it was rather disgusting. Perhaps this is a 'ghost' as you say?"
Susie- (to Ben)
"Oh, I think I saw you once or twice. You lived here before, like me. And that guy that ran upstairs, too. Uh, welcome back, but things have gotten a little weird here. Your apartments might be a little messed up, but hopefully not too bad."
>>BEN
Ben nodded at Susie, and started to remove his gloves and helmet.
"Yeah, I'm Ben Hanson. Was over at the Westlake Center last night, and we had to get out of there because of ghosts. Sandy and Sonya here worked at the Daiso store with Kaito. I think some of the others might have worked in the mall as well, but most of us were just customers. We made it to an apartment building not too far from here. That's where we spent the night. So I guess I know what happens to empty apartments." Ben still hoped that no one had wrecked too much of his stuff, since most of it would be pretty useless when fighting zombies. Then again, what use would he have for it now? The computers and the TV wouldn't work without power, and that covered most of what he had. There was the manga collection, if it hadn't been turned into kindling. And maybe someone his size had wanted new clothes?>>GM
The community center had all its furniture pushed against the walls, and almost thirty people slept on the floor. On blankets, on couch cushions, in sleeping bags... People of all ages, and a few small dogs as well.
A short man with big owl-like eyes and large hair ran in from the stairwell, carrying a radio.
Man-
"Snake! Dude! Get up!"
The man shook a tall slim man who was fast asleep on a scratchy blanket.
"Snake"-
"Kenny? Wh-what... huh?"
Kenny -
"There's a whole bunch of people here! Abdul what'shisface radioed it! They're downstairs!"
"Snake"-
"Oh wow! That's so cool!"
"Snake" got up, he was still dressed in the same clothes as the day before, a slightly blood spattered short-sleeved button up and jeans. He had been using his favorite scarf as a pillow, and now artfully arranged it to cover most of the blood. He and Kenny crept out of the room, trying to not wake anyone else.
>>ALEX  In the harsh morning light, Alex could witness every gore-spattered detail around him. The surreal detachment he'd experienced during the night was quickly replaced by something grimmer. He breathed a relieved sigh when Abdul-Rahman welcomed them to the 403 building. They weren't safe, but they were safer, and maybe somebody had French toast with jam in the community center. Alex counted heads. Remarkably, everybody made it. Grandfather Luke, Ben's lovely entourage, Coach Davin, the doctor (sans tights, unfortunately - those were hilarious), Micah, and ... where was Patti? He remembered that she took a detour for guns. He shifted anxiously, hoping she'd return unharmed. As Ben asked radio-related questions, Alex pulled out his wallet and flipped through its pictures. They were all he had now: them and his little silver crucifix. He desperately wanted to contact family and friends, just to reassure himself that they were safe, but how? Alex had a sudden idea, and it frightened him. He glanced at Nat. He'd need Nat for this, considering the guy's special interests. It might be dangerous; the shy barista would need to warm up to him first. Well, no problem. Alex could win over anyone (well, almost) eventually. He just had to be persistent! Casually, he ambled next to Nat and said, "Hey, Bud, Mr. Abdul said they're setting up rooms. We should share one. Maybe us and another guy." Alex looked at Sarah and blushed faintly. "Unless you two want to stick together." Nat didn’t wear a wedding band, but Alex knew full well that most people didn't wait until marriage to share a bed. >>BEN
Ben nodded at Susie, and started to remove his gloves and helmet.
"Yeah, I'm Ben Hanson. Was over at the Westlake Center last night, and we had to get out of there because of ghosts. Sandy and Sonya here worked at the Daiso store with Kaito. I think some of the others might have worked in the mall as well, but most of us were just customers. We made it to an apartment building not too far from here. That's where we spent the night. So I guess I know what happens to empty apartments." Ben still hoped that no one had wrecked too much of his stuff, since most of it would be pretty useless when fighting zombies. Then again, what use would he have for it now? The computers and the TV wouldn't work without power, and that covered most of what he had. There was the manga collection, if it hadn't been turned into kindling. And maybe someone his size had wanted new clothes?>>PATTI’S STORY (copied from Brett's previous post)Patti banged on the door.
Patti-
"Humans here! Let us in, please!" The door opened a crack and a middle eastern man spoke from within.
Abdul-Rahman-
"Hello. You are welcome to come in if you can answer a question."
Patti-
"Seriously? A fucking riddle? Who are you, fucking Gollum?"
Abdul-Rahman-
"I'm sorry, I must insist. It is for everyone's safety."
Patti-
"Hurry up then."
Abdul-Rahman-
"First, m'am, what is your favorite food?"
Patti-
"Coconut cream pie."
Abdul-Rahman-
"And, sir, with the gun, your first kiss?"
Tyrone-
"Janet Jackson. No, not that one. Let us in!"
Abdul-Rahman-
"One more. Mexican sir, where were you born?"
Hector-
"Aztec, New Mexico. Please let us in."
With the last answer, the door was opened and the group was let in. The man moved a wooden barricade back to block the door.Patti and Tyrone lumped the duffels onto the trunk of a nearby car and stretched their limbs. She patted Hector on the arm. "Thanks for sticking with us, Hector. Find out where you can stash that food and then get some rest." She turned to Tyrone. "Keep that bag close until you and I have a chance to sit down and figure out how we're distributing them. I don't want untrained people or unstable people running around with our artillery. Let's find Anna and see if she'll watch the guns while we tour the facilities." >>PATTI Patti leaned close to Anna and Tyrone. "Let's not go advertising the guns yet. I'd like to drop these off somewhere and leave someone stable to guard them, so others can tour the facility and see how secure it is. Anna, if you don't mind, I'd appreciate it if you could keep an eye on them." >>GM 
Anna-
"Haha, figures. Davin was all hot to get here and dragging us along was secondary to whatever he's run upstairs for. What an ass." She paced the small lit area of the garage trying to clear her head from the hellride outside.
Jackson-
Jackson obviously wanted to say something like "Be nice, baby," but bit his lip.
Anna-
"Well damn it's good to see you, Patti, Tyrone. Looks like you dragged your whole apartment over the finish line. Nice!"
Tyrone-
"An' a little bit of Mejico. Hector here was all Tokyo Drif' on th' way."
Hector-
"This is the part where I piss my pants and die." He slumped to the ground, back against a wall.
Sonya-
"I... feel like Mister Hector." She wiped sweat from her brow. "What do we do now? Where to rest?"
Kaito-
For the first time in a while, Kaito looked directly at Ben, as if daring him to suggest his room... He looked creepy in the dim light, a hand now on Sonya's shoulder.
Sandy-
"Yeah, Abdul. You guys should get the hospitality wagon down here, pronto."
Abdul-Rahman-
"I believe Kenneth has arranged this. Be patient a moment longer, though if anyone wishes to go upstairs first, obviously we will not stop you."
>>MICAH  Micah leaned against a nearby car, watching the others talking. He was relieved to see Patti return, he hadn't talked to her much but the woman had her head screwed on right. Micah hoped that this place was better equipped than the last. He wondered how everyone would take the fall out, once they realised they were playing for real. People were really going fucking to die, they'd been too lucky so far. Micah would be happy as long as it wasn't him. He wandered over to Alex, Nat and Sarah, offering them a relieved grin. >>ALEX When Micah approaches, Alex will try to pull him into a one-armed celebratory hug, though his attention is still focused on Nat. THE HUG IS INESCAPABLE! Just kidding. Micah can lean away or tell him to stop being a weirdo, and Alex will behave himself.>>GM A short guy with funny hair came barreling in from the stairwell, panting.
Man-
"Dude! Abdul, you were right! Look at all these people!"
Abdul-Rahman-
"Wonderful, Kenneth. Is someone else coming?"
Kenny-
"Yeah, Snake's right behind me."
He moved out, smiling and shooting finger guns at the cute ladies. Another man stepped out of the stairwell more calmly, a tall man with green eyes and a subtly blood spattered shirt covered with a patterned scarf.
"Snake"-
"Wow! How about that...!"
The tall man did a whistle to get everyone's attention.
"Snake"-
"Hi everyone! Welcome to 403. My name's Seth, and this is Kenny. Please come to the top floor, we'll get you some breakfast and you can sleep if you need to."
>>BEN
Ben-
"Well, there you go," Ben said to the Daiso gang. "The hospitality wagon has arrived."
Before leaving with the people going upstairs he turned to Abdul-Rahman."Looks like you've got an excellent organisation going here. We just spent the night in an empty apartment, almost twenty people on the floor. We could've spread out more of course, but we thought it would be safer to gather in one place so that a few could stay awake and watch out for ghosts." >>DOCTOR VICTOR  Dr. Victor glanced around, the soured milk face seeming to droop more as the camaraderie increased. He let the duffle bag slowly slip into his grip by his side. The arrival of Patti didn't seem to ease his troubled mood; especially as another person lumbered behind her. The good doctor tossed his head up and let loose a grumbling sigh. His neck snapped down, as his chin rested on his chest. "I see now. We've gone from a bad goosebump book in the mall, to the scary watch tower in Disneyland and we finally rest here in the loving arms of the Girl Scouts and Salvation Army Depot? Do we have to go along handing out cookies as well? I swear, I should have just given up in med school and started a rock band. Nothing like finally paying off all your schooling debt only to have money become as useful as third nipple." The good doctor moved towards the newest resident to emerge from the stairs, arms crossing over his chest, duffle thumping his hip. He by-passed the other source of his displeasure, the gaggle of optimistic youths who thought everything was suddenly cured. It's as if they think mommy had just come and wiped away their boo boos. Mindless sheep."We had sleep, if you can even call it sleep. We had a WONDERFUL time! Tell me, is there anyone here who is in charge or has the world succumbed to the hippie-dippy mindset of communal living?" The doctor leaned close, eyes narrowing. "Do you have coffee? Hot, black, vitriolic java?" >>GM Before leaving with the people going upstairs he turned to Abdul-Rahman. "Looks like you've got an excellent organisation going here. We just spent the night in an empty apartment, almost twenty people on the floor. We could've spread out more of course, but we thought it would be safer to gather in one place so that a few could stay awake and watch out for ghosts."
Abdul-Rahman-
"Wise indeed. We had a similar idea, at least until we can assign rooms. Rather interesting to see grown adults sleeping on the floor like it was a very bad camping trip."
Patti leaned close to Anna and Tyrone. "Let's not go advertising the guns yet. I'd like to drop these off somewhere and leave someone stable to guard them, so others can tour the facility and see how secure it is. Anna, if you don't mind, I'd appreciate it if you could keep an eye on them."
Anna-
"Muahah sure. Wow, I never got to use one of these before... not that I'm going to... Uh huh."
"We had sleep, if you can even call it sleep. We had a WONDERFUL time! Tell me, is there anyone here who is in charge or has the world succumbed to the hippie-dippy mindset of communal living?" The doctor leaned close, eyes narrowing. "Do you have coffee? Hot, black, vitriolic java?"
Kenny -
"Yeah Snake's the president."
Abdul-Rahman shot Kenny a dirty look.
Seth-
"Oh not really... well, actually we were planning on having a vote a little later. It's been working out well as a joint effort so far, but I guess it does simplify things. If you need help with something, you can talk to me. --and Coffee, yes, of course! We're trying to cook up all the food that's going to spoil so there's going to be a huge breakfast upstairs. Hope no one's vegetarian, haha! Well actually there's a vegan option too..."
>>GM
Davin came charging in to the community center, and almost tripped over sleeping bodies. He carefully stepped over them, following the strong smell of maple syrup and cooking meat to the patio.
Davin-
"Uh, are you in charge here ma'am?"
 A young woman with odd hair was frantically cooking food on two barbeques. She blinked at him several times, uncomprehending. A little girl peered out from behind the barbeque.
Little Girl-
"Chantelle's cooking breakfast. Do you want some orange juice?"
Davin-
"... Why did someone feed my pets?! I mean, I appreciate it but..."
Little Girl -
"Which ones are yours?"
Davin-
"...Um, a little tan colored cat and--"
Little girl -
"SANDY AND REX? AWWW they're my favorites! Oh well, I like them a lot anyway."
Davin -
"..."
Davin squinted, all his confused rage starting to melt away with the maple syrup scented smoke. He poured himself some orange juice from a table covered in various bottles of juice.
>>MICAH
Micah accepted the celebratory one-armed hug, although not nearly as enthusiastically as Alex.
"Uh I think I'm going upstairs, catch you guys later."
Micah moved casually up past the residents, giving a small awkward wave of hello.
"I'm Micah, great place you have here. I'm glad to hear someone is actually cooking, the last place was take-out city."
Seth-
"Oh you're welcome! Nice to meet you. Yeah Chantelle's a great cook, it's going to be a real feast."
He smiled warmly at them all. He offered the doctor a sarcastically cheesy smile as he passed him, raising an eyebrow. Yeah, they were probably going to die, but there was no use sulking like a bitch. The idea of real food lifted Micah's mood.
He headed upstairs following the others towards the comm centre. At the sixth floor, the smell was fantastic. Stepping over the sleeping bodies, he grinned at the brusquely cooking girl. He looked appreciatively at the spread, sure it could be better and her technique lacked but it wasn't take-out.
"Hi, I'm Micah. Is it okay if I take a plate?"
>>DOCTOR VICTOR The good doctor choked down a laugh. "Vegan? I seriously doubt anyone would attempt to continue such a load of social dribble. I'm sure all those lovely people will be dead in a matter of weeks anyways unless they have a steady supply of vitamins and supplements to keep their protein and iron levels sufficient. But, I suppose, only if they don't die protesting the 'ethical treatment of... well, whatever those things are. "What qualifications do you possess to become the leader? Are you military? Do you have extensive experience in social unrest? Do you have a shiny gun?" The doctor shook his head. "I don't want to be left with some incompetent bleeding heart who can't do what needs to be done." He moved away from the scarfed man, eyes burning with tears. "Oh god, does someone have a cat? I can't stand cats. Are we now responsible for feeding pets as well? I won't have my portion of food be fed to something that is more or less a portable zombie snack with fur..." The good doctor kept himself occupied by grumbling about every inch of the area, from leaking oil to cracks in the foundation, to the non-existent exhaust fumes. He grumbled about the dust, the lack of moving air, even the horrible sound coming from deeper in the garage before he realized it was the reverberating sound of his own voice. "Coffee. Upstairs... but there's more people. It's just not right." Dr. Victor let his eyes drift among the remaining occupants. "I'm going for coffee. And after that, I'm going to find a nice quiet space to exist in solitude until I feel like looking at everyone's 'Hippie Rash" and 'Commune Rot.' And if Mary comes looking for me, tell her to take a number." With his soliloquy finished, the good doctor moved past the scarfed man, the avian-eyed man, and every other person on his quest for coffee. >>GM
Cook -
"Oh sure, there's sausage, bacon, umm.. whatever that kinda meat is... I'm working on the vegan options now, there's tofurky links and soy scramble."
The woman was manning two different barbeques, one was roasting small pieces of chicken and the other had a makeshift 'griddle' formed by metal cookie sheets laid over the top of the grill. Micah recognized some of the techniques she was using, she was obviously a professional cook of some sort.
The little girl poured Micah a drink of his choice, which included several half full cartons of milk and just about every kind of juice. A kettle of coffee bubbled nearby, made up the old fashioned way.
Little girl -
"I'm Zoe. I never saw you before. Where did you come from? You have a funny accent. More importantly, do you have any pets?"
>>ALEX
Alex overheard the last scrap of the doctor's conversation. The man was interrogating Seth and complaining about animals. "The just regardeth the lives of his beasts!" Alex called out as Dr. Victor left to find coffee. "That means all beasts, Doctor, even cats!" He was more of a dog person, but cats were pretty adorable in their own right.
After a moment’s hesitation, Alex approached the leader apparent, Seth. "Excuse me, Sir," he said, "do you know what’s happening ... to the world right now?" He lowered his voice almost conspiratorially. "Or do you think you know?" He doubted that anybody but God Himself understood the horrible slaughter, but maybe the 403 building picked up a transmission with their radio during the night, something more illuminating than the gutless demon child's Y-you’re all going to fuck-king die.
>>GM Kenny raised an eyebrow at the Doctor.
Kenny -
"Man chief, you got a vocabulary on ya. I think we need to get into the booze later, and you gotta go first... and maybe second and third."
Seth-
"Oh Kenny, I'm sure these guys have had a rough time, no need to pick on them. Um, coffee is just upstairs next to the barbecue. We had to make it the old fashioned way but it's not bad, really."
After a moment’s hesitation, Alex approached the leader apparent, Seth. "Excuse me, Sir," he said, "do you know what’s happening ... to the world right now?" He lowered his voice almost conspiratorially. "Or do you think you know?"
Seth-
"Phew, it's really hard to say, isn't it? We saw the news report, Stevie got a tape of it. I really don't understand it, but obviously something's gone seriously wrong with the world. They were always going to say there was an emergency announcement coming, but it never did... Maybe we can talk more about it over breakfast?"
Seth and Kenny followed the Doctor up the stairs, Kenny already excitedly talking about the hot ladies. Some 801 people began drifting in behind as well. At the very rear, Anna and Jackson attempted to comport the guns into a less... gun-tastic looking pile.>>GM Those just arriving upstairs found the large community center full of just waking up people. There was a strong smell of maple syrup and cooking meat drifting in from an outdoor patio. A large plastic banquet table was being unfolded by some men, and sleepy people looked excited to see the newcomers. A few small dogs, a black and white Boston terrier, and two tan French bulldogs ran around happily. Bright daylight streamed in from the open windows and a slight smoke hung in the air from the barbecues.
Davin sat on a leather sofa in the community center, looking shell-shocked but still eating some sort of sausage patties and drinking a cup of coffee.
>>DOCTOR VICTOR The doctor almost skipped as the scent of delicious food and the hint of coffee hit his nostrils. And he almost could care less as Micah brushed pass him on the stairs, giving more cheesy lines than a politician. He hesitated at the final scent-smoke. "I thought you had electricity! I thought this was supposed to be a better place!" Dr. Victor shook with rage, his hand rattling the railing as though it were the cause of every annoyance he voiced moments ago, squeezing and shaking. He attempted to control his horrible thoughts with two simple facts: there was no screaming; there was no snapping timbers. Maybe they actually had some form of barbecue? That would almost suffice. Almost.The good doctor took a few last heavy steps to reach the community center, eyes downcast. He could tell the blaze was not in his immediate vicinity, though it was certainly close enough to make him sweat; his face twitched in a sneer in revulsion. Rats! Oh, no... it is those things people try to pass off as dogs."Shoo! Get away from those... they're expensive shoes! What... that's just disgusting... don't lick the-oh, why? Go flee in terror! You horrible, and mildly adorable little wingless fat gnats... Is this one a puppy? Aww..." Leaning down, the doctor extended his fingers towards the smallest creature. It is a shame, really. You're so small and you poop on the floor, you're not what everyone needs, you whine at probably everything, you drool and kick in your sleep, and you still have people bending over to meet your every-needy-yipping demand. Why can't I get that kind of respect? Maybe I should just poop on the floor, hmm? Oh, of course not. You'd just eat it. But... if you eat it and lick someone's face, I would almost forgive you. Almost."Coffee here, please." The doctor assumed the flat, directorial tone for his demand, still entranced by the beast. Did I just coo? Oh, well done, Doctor Victor. You should have just kicked it like you wanted to. Stupid social beast! Disrupting all trains of thought and purposes for anger with such a dumb, derpy face.>>DOCTOR VICTOR "Coffee here, please."
"Here you go, we have milk and sugar too if you want."
She had the serious manner of a librarian, and sized up the Doctor a moment, before returning to arrange the plastic cups on the table to be in the shape of a heart.>>GM A young man with floppy black hair woke up. He rolled over, and sat up with his hands on his knees. He yawned, and looked very disturbed as he tried to get his bearings. He looked up, and caught sight of Doctor Victor.
Young man-
"What's going on, man? Who are you people?"
The young man was dazed looking, but the Doctor noted he hadn't even the slightest bloodstain or scratch on him.>>DOCTOR VICTOR The doctor felt what could have been a smile slip away as he took the mug from the young girl. He nodded towards her and stood up slowly. Children! Of-oh. This must be what had Davin in such a rut for getting back here. A shame, though, to think she may have eyes squint like his. The train of thought was thoroughly derailed this time by his bottom lip hitting one side of the mug. His slurp was loud and the moan afterwards was something akin to a prayer. He spent the next moments in blissful submersion within the aroma of his black god. Not even the gentle tug at his khakis by the puppy detracted him from this, his single pleasure. Once the inhalant subsided, the doctor gently picked the puppy up off the floor and coddled it against his chest as one would a baby. The duffle would sit for the time being, against the entrance wall. He kept a steady balance of bubbling, bouncing puppy scratching at his chest and liquid coffee inside the mug. He chuckled to himself, head lulling to the side as the animal licked the slight stubble on his chin. If I fall, I wonder which object I'd try to save first?Dr. Victor chose a position away from the table, out of the line of sight of the primitive answer to a microwave, and had his back to the girl as much as possible. >>MICAH
Little girl -
"I'm Zoe. I never saw you before. Where did you come from? You have a funny accent. More importantly, do you have any pets?"
Micah-
"Not as fucking funny as yours. I came from the sheer depths of hell, where they torture little kids who ask questions and no. Coffee, please."
Micah took the coffee and headed to the food filling his plate with meat, pancakes and more importantly syrup. He sat down in an empty chair, looking at the strangers in the room. They seemed okay, it was all a little too idyllic. Alex was going to fucking love it.
He hoped no one would mention he cooked. The last thing he wanted was to be on cooking duty for the ridiculous amount of people here. He felt sorry for the hipster chick slogging it on her own though. The doctor was engaging in his usual bizarre behaviour and cuddling up to one of the dogs. What planet did the man live on?
Dogs and children, what next? A fucking baby? Micah shivered, the only thing he hated more than kids were babies. The only thing worse than babies were their smug fucking parents. Parading their child around like they invented them. 'Nobody shits their nappy like my little Johnny'.>>GM
Zoe-
"CHANTELLE, the mean man made SWEARS. Did you hear it?"
Chantelle-
"I'm so sorry, baby. Well, don't give him anything if he comes back, OK?"
Stevie-
"What's this world comin' to, eh kid?"
Zoe-
"I know! That's what I'm say-ing!"
The area of the food was getting too crowded to easily access, and Micah and Doc Vic found themselves crowded out into the Comm Center's general area. The drowsy guy looked at them through red eyes.
Bryce-
"Huh. Oh yeah, there was some kind of apocalypse goin' on, wasn't there?"
More people were stirring nearby.
Thierry-
"Oh, we should've slept in my apartment. I'm so stiff!"
Columbo-
"No shit. Men, I am dead as... Those creeps outside."
Sharma-
"Hooo, jarst do me dis fabor, guys, and gib me one mar hour ub night?"
Bryce-
"Whoa. Killer accent, man. Um, Mr. Harrison, these guys are?"
Thierry-
"Co-workers. Sharma and Columbo. Good morning, um..."
Bryce-
"Bryce. Damn this is a weird way to wake up."
>>DOCTOR VICTOR The doctor stopped coddling the puppy and gave a cold stare at the sloppy-haired man. "We just got here. I'm a doctor. You can thank me later. Do you have a name? No, wait, don't tell me. You aren't awake yet. Get yourself together and eat something. No need to panic and waste all that precious energy." Dr. Victor let his thumb rub along the puppy's head, giving it a crooked smile. He chuckled a little as it yawned at him. "I think I'll call you Code Blue. Cody for short. Or do you prefer Blue? Oh! You're a girl! Aww, I think I'll call you Mimi. That will be akin to a myocardial infarction myocardial infarction. Aww, cutey widduw Mimi. Go say hi to Uncle Micah! Go on! He needs a good licking, he does. I bet he is just jealous someone is a better cook than he is, hmm?" The doctor let the puppy scamper off across the floor, wobbly and disoriented as only an excited puppy can be. >>ALEX
Alex nodded and followed the group upstairs. On the way, he eavesdropped on Kenny’s conversation about the women - it was hard not to, honestly. Whoa. Had his new group picked up another ladies man? Good thing he still felt still heartsick about Carly, or he might ...
OH! Look at that breakfast spread! Just LOOK at it!
Alex started loading up on staple foods like meat and syrup. He tried to be considerate and take only necessary portions, but it was so damn hard, especially when this might be his last meal. Or ... his last taste of good meat. Ugh. Once the fresh stuff ran out, what then? Spam? Rat barbeque?
Wait. Did Micah really use the F-word in front of a child?"Hey!" Alex barked at him. "Watch your mouth. And don’t joke about hell." After the alternative-looking (but pretty) chef and older man said their piece, he smiled at the little girl. "Sorry, Princess, that was a very naughty man. He's angry because he'll never be as smart as you! Oh, and he talks funny because he's from a little island far away. Hey, can I have some juice, please?"
>>DOCTOR VICTOR "I think I'll call you Code Blue. Cody for short. Or do you prefer Blue? Oh! You're a girl! Aww, I think I'll call you Mimi..."
Bryce-
"Haha, doctor. That dog is named Snoopi. Because it's a beagle, but then they turned to 'y' into an 'i' because of Jersey Shore. If her owners don't come back, might as well be Mimi."
"Sorry, Princess, that was a very naughty man. He's angry because he'll never be as smart as you! Oh, and he talks funny because he's from a little island far away. Hey, can I have some juice, please?"
Zoe-
"Wow, you're big, mister. Here's your juice!"
Dr. Victor let out a heavy sigh, watching the small puppy bound off to mingle among the pack. He let his gaze slice over towards the speaking youth. "I don't think there is any reference to New Jersey which has much to do with proper spelling. I suppose it was you who came up with the, ahem, grammatical atrocity directing people to the alley?" The doctor turned his vision back to his glorious coffee, savoring the intoxicating scent as one would a humidifier in winter. He let his foot tap Micah's chair, absently. "Care to step off the cranky train? It is only built for one, Micah." >>GM Seth and Kenny caught up with the group. Kenny tried to stick around, but remembered his guard duty and slunk away. Seth came to get a plate, and smiled at Alex.
Seth-
"Wow, a man after my own heart. Eat as much as you like, this food will all spoil in a few hours so we might as well live it up now. After this it's Poptarts and Lucky Charms until we learn how to hunt seagull."
Stevie-
"Wow, what are all these people like, Snake? Most importantly, are there hot ladies?"
Seth-
"I'm sure there are some very beautiful young women, but you really should get to know them yourself."
Stevie-
"Yeah, bad guy to ask, what was I thinkin'? Haha!"
The brash man snagged his food and headed out to the community center to meet and greet.
Seth moved back to the community center, and smiled at Dr V.
Seth-
"Did I hear that you are a doctor? That's really amazing, that's a vital role these days. Let me know if there's anything I can do to make you comfortable, we need someone like you to stick around!"
Bryce approached Micah casually from the other side.
Bryce -
"Wow man, you a Satanist? Or just on the occult-trend?"
He gestured to Micah's pentagram sweater.>>MICAH
Micah-
"Why the HELL not?" Micah called out from his chair to Alex.
Swear at one little kid and suddenly everyone's in your grill, geez. Perhaps it hadn't been a good idea, alienating the people who own the safe house, good one. Meh."Sorry kid."
He ignored the doctor's slight on his cooking skills."I just don't like kids. I'm not cranky. You have to strike fear quickly in their little hearts or it's the endless fucking questions...Cute puppy, will you feed it? Take it on little walks? Can you handle the responsibility doctor?" He grinned.
Bryce-
"Wow man, you a Satanist? Or just on the occult-trend?"
"Hahaha no mate.I just lucked out in the mystery wardrobe game. If anyone can spare some half decent clothes, it'd be fantastic."
>>GM
"Hum, yeah I got my clothes here, we might be about the same size. I'm pretty fuckin' unstylish though, so don't laugh. Maybe I'll grab some food and we can go look."
Bryce seemed a little amused at Micah's display of crank-i-tude, but was playing it cool.>>NAT 
Nat had joined Sarah in Kaito's minivan. He wasn't sure this was the best idea - nothing had broken into Anna's building yet - but it seemed to be what the majority was doing, and he would rather stay with the larger group. He kept quiet throughout most of the ride, his bag in his lap, and his weapon (a metal bar with burnt cloth wrapped around one end that had previously served as a torch) atop that. He held the torch in a tight, white-knuckled grip - he wasn't sure if he would actually be able to hit anything with it, but the weight of the weapon was at least a little reassuring.
It seemed all too soon that the van stopped and he was all but herded out of the car and into the street. He lost sight of Sarah in the rush to get out of the car, and he froze, panicked for a moment, as the other survivors bolted into the maze of abandoned cars ahead. It was a moment before he saw Sarah, ahead of him and leading that elderly man into the maze - and a moment more before he saw the zombies pouring out of the buildings to either side like a vast colony of angry ants. His momentary bout of paralysis ended at that, and the blonde bolted after the others, trying to get back to the bulk of the group.
Nat twisted and darted through the labyrinth of parked cars, as nimble as a hare fleeing the slavering maws of hounds. He was focused fully on running, keeping site of the others ahead of him - a bit too focused. He made a wrong turn, trying to catch up, and ended up at a dead-end - the two cars blocking him must have slammed together in a rush to get out: both hoods were a mess of crunched metal and broken glass, too many twisted, sharp edges. Nat backed away from the mess, panicking and turning about. Where were the others? Which way did he need to go?
It was a moment before he spotted them again, and - not wanting to navigate back the way he had come - Nat scrambled over the back-end of one of the blocking cars. He dropped his torch in the process, and one leg of his pants snagged on an up-raised bit of metal and tore - but still, once past the wreck, he had a relatively clear shot to the others.
Still, Nat was on the tail-end of the group at the back entrance, and rushed inside *just* before Anna, the horde hot on his heels. The door slammed shut behind him, and for a moment Nat wasn't sure what to do - there were too many people around him, too many things that looked like people but might not be. He shied away from them, pushing through the crowd until he found a relatively open area. Nat only meant to pause a moment to catch his breath, he was wound up taut like a spring. He wasn't sure how, exactly, he ended up on the floor - one moment he had been standing, the next his legs must have decided he needed a sit.
It didn't help much when the stranger, a middle eastern man, came over to ask him a question. Nat shied away, drawing his knees up infront of him as if he could use them like a shield."Wh-Wh-What?" he stammered, uncomprehending. The man looked a bit concerned.
"What is your favorite animal?"
Nat-
"I, um, I-I like dogs. And cats. Um..." Nat stared at the man, his confusion apparent. His answer seemed to be good enough, however - the middle eastern guy wandered off to ask weird questions to someone else.
Sarah hurried over to check on him after the stranger was done, and Alex wasn't far behind her. Sadly, Nat still wasn't feeling particularly social - his nerves were fried. He merely blinked at Alex's questions, confused. "Um, if, um, if you think so? I, um..." He trailed off in something of a stammer, looking to Sarah questioningly.
( Nat'll follow Sarah, Alex, and Micah upstairs if/when they head on up.) >>PATTI Patti spoke to her immediate compatriots: Anna, tattoo guy, and Tyrone. "You should all get food while you can. I'm going to find someone to show me the grounds now. Tyrone, I'd like it if you'd come with me, but if you want food, you should go too." Her hand absent mindedly moved to the pistol grip at her hip. It was good to have a proper holster instead of carrying the gun around in her pants like some sort of whack-assed gangsta wannabe. To Abdul-Rahman... "Hey there, um, guy, can someone show me around here? I don't want to waste time and I want to check the perimeter and see what you've got in the way of guard shifts. Is that cool?" She heard the "ladies man" yammering on about hot chicks and, again, her nightmare came back to her in a flash. She didn't trust the guy, but she wasn't looking forward to killing any more live people. But she would if she had to. >>ALEX
Alex turned and watched Seth make his rounds. He was a really friendly guy. Tall, too. Taller than Alex? Yeesh, sure was. There goes a genuine six-footer (and then some). He chugged back the orange juice, piled some more food on his plate, and moved away from the crowded area. Alex almost sat next to Micah the Child Hater, but then he saw Nat and Sarah nearby. "Hey, Micah, don’t worry about that girl," Alex said, in passing. "I explained that you have an Irish accent, so she won’t bother you again." He managed to deliver the line without snickering.
When and if the time came, Alex wanted MANY kids, and it didn't matter whether they were adopted or not. Alex loved the idea of big families. Unfortunately, he was an only child, a rarity in his parents’ conservative Catholic community due to restrictions he preferred not to consider; the topic made him blush and stammer like Nat. Speaking of Nat ...
Alex plopped down next to him and started eating. The poor blonde seemed really out of it. Pale, nervous, afraid. Considering the circumstances, that wasn’t surprising. To Nat, Alex smiled in what he hoped was a disarming way. He'd met people like Nat before: they were like deer or rabbits, prey animals that startled quickly. Usually, a friendly smile did wonders. "Sorry for being pushy, man," he said. "You just look so much like my brother. Well, he's not my brother brother, but my brother brother, you know?" Alex took out his wallet and showed Nat a picture of Emiliano drinking bubble tea or, as Alex called it, nasty tea milk with sugar and chewy stuff. Emiliano really did look like a brunette, Hispanic Nat, oddly enough. "Where's your family living? Mine's all in California, except for Emil ... I don't know what happened to him yesterday night." His smile fell. "He wouldn’t swat mosquitoes. That's not even a joke. He was a secret Buddhist, something like that. I just don't know how he fared alone. I should have gone back to the dorm, instead of the mall, but his birthday was coming up, and ..." Alex shrugged and shook his head. "Sorry. I was asking about YOUR family, not mine."
>>DOCTOR VICTOR The doctor nicked a snack from the table, rolling it over his fingers before lowering it to the floor. He sipped his coffee a little, the mug displaying its proclamation. Dr. Victor seemed to sour again at the incessant talking, but once he realized some of the conversations was addressed him, the authority came back to his voice. "Well, Micah, I certainly seem able to handle things quite well. And a puppy is no less in the same state you were last night, except he has clothes on." He turned towards Seth, his eyes sliding down the bridge of his own nose. "My needs? Its about damned time someone cared about my needs and what services I can offer. I need supplies to take care of these sick ill people. And a soft bed, clean linens, hot water in a shower for decontaminating, a phonograph since I'm sure there are not any music players which do not run on electricity. Maybe a locking cabinet to keep the narcotics out of the hands of the more obviously afflicted souls of addiction? I want some form of record keeper. I need a special person who has the skills of medical coding. You know, just in case I can still bill for all this to the University Payroll. A quiet space, maybe a king sized, pillow top mattress, down pillows. Private restroom quarters are a must. And I need personal hygiene products, like toothpaste, and antiperspirants and nail clippers. Maybe someone who can practice reflexology or a massage therapist? Hmm?" The doctor blinked at the room. What? Do they really think I intend to slum it? Dr. Victor rolled his eyes and returned to his coffee, the only one who really understood him anyways. >>BEN
Ben followed the Daiso gang upstairs, and stuck close to them while they were getting their food. He loaded up on meat and other things that seemed like it would offer good nutritional value compared to how much space it would take up in his stomach. Smart idea to cook up all the things that would spoil. Would be very lean times soon enough, unless some survivalist had stored up plenty of food for the apocalypse. But smart survivalists probably stayed the hell away from apartment buildings, given that man's worst enemy was man himself.
Now that the apocalypse was actually here, maybe there were worse things than 'man himself'. But Ben would sure like to meet the survivalist who had predicted that demons, ghosts and zombies would be the cause. Surely all those survivalists were 'true believers', who'd all go to heaven? No reason for them to stock up on canned and dried food. Except for their pets possibly, because dogs don't go to heaven. He remembered reading about some atheists offering to feed the pets of Christians who believed that the end was nigh. Clever challenge, that one.
Then he spotted Davin sitting by himself, eating food while looking shell-shocked. That looked like bad news. Had his family been killed? Or were they just missing? Maybe that was worse. Ben wouldn't know what to say to the man, so he decided to leave him alone for the moment.>>DOCTOR VICTOR He turned towards Seth, his eyes sliding down the bridge of his own nose. "My needs? Its about damned time someone cared about my needs and what services I can offer. I need supplies to take care of these sick ill people. And a soft bed, clean linens, hot water in a shower for decontaminating, a phonograph since I'm sure there are not any music players which do not run on electricity. Maybe a locking cabinet to keep the narcotics out of the hands of the more obviously afflicted souls of addiction? I want some form of record keeper. I need a special person who has the skills of medical coding. You know, just in case I can still bill for all this to the University Payroll. A quiet space, maybe a king sized, pillow top mattress, down pillows. Private restroom quarters are a must. And I need personal hygiene products, like toothpaste, and antiperspirants and nail clippers. Maybe someone who can practice reflexology or a massage therapist? Hmm?"
Seth-
"Gosh, I should have written that down. There's a restaurant downstairs, it was pretty new. Maybe we could renovate it into a clinic. There's a lot of stainless steel in the kitchen, big refrigerator that's useless now but could become a cabinet perhaps. I'm hoping the power doesn't stay off forever, but I guess we have to prepare for the worst. Today we'll assign rooms, I'll make sure you get dibs on something good. Although, it may be unsafe to room by yourself with all the monsters around. It's up to you though, of course. You should talk to Marie, if you get the chance. She worked at UW Medical Research, but she wasn't a doctor unfortunately. Maybe she can do this coding you're talking about."
>>BEN
Meanwhile, Ben recognized someone talking to Micah. THAT FLOPPY HAIRED LITTLE BASTARD! That one who wouldn't check to see if his package was in! (Speaking of which, was it actually here?)>>PATTI Patti spoke to her immediate compatriots: Anna, tattoo guy, and Tyrone. "You should all get food while you can. I'm going to find someone to show me the grounds now. Tyrone, I'd like it if you'd come with me, but if you want food, you should go too."
Tyrone -
"Yes'm."
Anna-
"Don't gotta tell me twice. I hope they have bacon."
Jackson-
"Hell yeah. That leader guy Snake said they have vegan options."
Anna-
"Snake? ...That's a fucked up name."
Jackson-
"I dunno, he looks nice enough."
To Abdul-Rahman... "Hey there, um, guy, can someone show me around here? I don't want to waste time and I want to check the perimeter and see what you've got in the way of guard shifts. Is that cool?"
Abdul-Rahman-
"I am Abdul-Rahman, Ms..? I would be glad to show you around. Susie?"
The young, timid looking woman nodded, and he handed her the radio.
Abdul-Rahman
"Well our first post you see here, at the back entrance, which is the only entrance. I'm not sure about this idea, but two men who were here before thought it was a good idea to limit access. This is the only entrance now. We have a radio on the roof, and a guard there who looks to the streets to see if any humans are coming. This is the first time that's happened... well, when I arrived as well I imagine..."
Abdul showed her the first floor, with its newspaper covered windows, and jammed closed front entrance. He tried to gloss over the fact, but she picked up that these measures were put into place by Seth and Stevie, and Abdul seemed to disagree with the techniques.
If you'd like to keep talking with Abdul, Patti, either move to the first floor thread, or he will take you upstairs with the others.
"Patti. Abdul-Rahman's a bit of a mouthful, can I just call you Abdul or something?" She followed him to the fortified lobby. She really didn't think it was good enough, but she'd address that later. "Yeah, I think we might need to consider fixing this lobby up a little more secure. Also, we need more than one person on duty at the back door. If a dozen zombies were pushing against that, there's no way you'd be able to keep it shut by yourself." She followed him up to the Community Centre. By time Patti and her tour guide arrived at the community centre, the crowd around the barbecue had thinned a little. The smell was more than Patti could handle. The pie was heavenly, but she needed FOOD. "Okay, Abdul, let's get something we can eat on the go. This smells too good to pass up." Patti piled as much sausage and bacon as she could on her plate, and a splash of maple syrup on the side. "Thanks, so much, miss, this all looks delicious." She heard a kerfuffle and saw Anna slam the stairwell door. The guy from downstairs followed after her. What was his name? Snake? He seemed smarmy to her. To Abdul- "I guess we can continue our tour. Is the roof next?" >>DOCTOR VICTOR Dr. Victor shrugged absently, then spoke. "If you can't accomod- Wait. You'll give me something colloquially known as 'dibs?' Oh, my. Ahem, well, yes. I suppose it will be sufficient for now. A new diner would be sufficient, especially easy to keep clean from grime and rodents. I fear we will have issues with rodents." The good doctor leaned back in his chair, glancing about the room. "Roommates never live up to my standards. I suppose if my safety is your concern, I should begin interviewing- Oh, come on. I'll bunk with Micah. He's been through a lot. And I hear he's going clothes shopping. Maybe this time he can get something for me? It was dreadful. I had to examine everyone in nothing but a towel. And I didn't even charge for it. A shame; I could have gotten paid for the show as well. Is anyone going to eat this?" The doctor picked up a half-eaten morsel and set it on the floor. "Can't be wasteful, can we Mimi?"
Micah blushed at the doctor's words, turning red. (Hahaha Alex can think it's because of his SICK burn).
Bryce-
"Hum, yeah I got my clothes here, we might be about the same size. I'm pretty fuckin' unstylish though, so don't laugh. Maybe I'll grab some food and we can go look."
"Uh Sure, as long as there is jeans and a plain tee of some dark colour, no worries. I'm not a complete arsehole" He said looking pointedly at the doctor. "I'll meet you back in ten, my big mouth seems to have made a fucking mess." He wandered over to where Chantelle and the kid were finishing the last of the cooking and drink serving. The woman was okay looking if you liked the hipster thing, weird hair though. Her and Jackson seemed to be communicating in some weird hipster way.
Fucking vegans, every group had one and it always meant twice the bloody work. What? So they can eat meat-parodies, fake eggs?
It was ridiculous, it was like a person being so against rape that they gave up sex. Who then turned around, and raped blow-up dolls instead. At least no one here was celiac, those were the worst especially the life-stylers.
"Uh look I'm sorry kid.. uh Chloe? I shouldn't have 'made swears'. It was rude but you shouldn't ask so many fu... questions."With that he gave her a rather forced smile, kids were manipulative little shits. He sauntered away before the kid could answer. Next, Alex. He waited until Alex had finished talking about himself with Nat. Micah tried not to laugh at the term secret buddhist.
"Look man, I'm sorry. I shouldn't joke about those things you believe in. Your the closest thing I have to family right now. However, next time your trying to insult me... Irish accent, not insulting. Kiwi might have... or call me a frycook. Try being more creative next time." He smiled.
"Anyway I'm off to be de-gothed..."
Bryce watched Anna and Seth run off with a dazed expression.
Bryce-
"Wow, weird."
He noticed Micah.
Bryce-
"Yeah, you can come with me downstairs, I had a place I was staying on the third floor, not like my real place but I was there while my parents were out of town. I'm Bryce, by the way. My parents were the managers... Wonder if they're still alive..."
Bryce had a weird manner, he was blood-free and unmarked, but seemed very sleepy or out of it. Maybe drugged-out like Micah had presumed. He was very pale and a little sweaty looking, but maybe that's how he normally looked. He had a pretty plain outfit, jeans and t-shirt, so Micah felt hopeful about finding some less outrageous clothes.>>GM
Seth-
"Ah rodents, good thinking. So far its been pretty clean but we had to throw a few bodies off the roof, zombies in their apartments, you know. --and one room... eh... well we're going to tape that one off I think, it's a bit hopeless. We'll have to work hard to make things sanitary.
Anyway, I'm just so excited for us to have a real doctor! We really need someone with your talents and smarts. We're so lucky."
He smiled at the doctor. This guy was too chipper, but then again, he was complimenting the doctor's intelligence and talent... Should be he be cranky or flattered? Or both?>>GM
Tyrone-
"Got-dam, can you smell it?"
Anna-
"Almost can't over the sleep-sweat. It's like 'The Gorge' in here."
Jackson-
"Oh hey, Anna, you never got to see that Snake guy."
Anna-
"Not sure I want to meet someone with that handle."
The shifting crowd, furniture, and underfoot canines were hard to navigate, but they reached the barbecues to get some food. Tyrone got his food first (accepted graciously) and moved on, sitting near Nat and Alex, saying grace, and getting down to some long overdue business. Back at the grill, Jackson received the vegan smorgasbord.
Jackson- (to Chantelle)
"You're like a Vision of Madonna, my dear."
Chantelle-
"What era? Lucky Star?"
Jackson-
"..."
Chantelle-
"I kid! Are you catholic?"
Jackson-
"No, but I like to respect the spiritual."
Chantelle-
"That's my ethos too!"
Anna-
"You guys are friggin' weird. Gimme that bacon, earth mama!"
Chantelle-
"Sure thing, sky child... Hey, you guys should go see Snake! he made all this possible. Smart guy."
Anna-
"Jesus, OK, but I refuse to call him Snake."
They worked their way through the crowd.>>GM
Anna finally made it through to the community center, already crunching on the last piece of bacon.
Seth glanced over, and smiled at the new people entering. He caught sight of Anna and a strange look passed over his face, his smile faltering a bit.
Jackson-
"Hey there's the man himself. Word up, 'Snake.' So why's that your--"
Anna-
"Oh god no. NO."
Anna was nearly shaking in terror as she looked at the friendly man holding a cup of juice. He, likewise, began to look like the blood was draining out of his face.
Jackson-
"What's wrong? You know this guy?"
Seth caught a hold of his wits and spoke with a hint of strain.
Seth-
"Ohh... I've seen you at the video lab, right? I uh, thought you looked familiar..."
Anna-
"Uhh...! Uhh...!!" Anna was flustered, and shook her head. "Don't...!"
Seth-
"Haha, remember that stupid infomercial we were in? With the tangle of electrical cords? Haha, so lame. Hey just a heads up, Stevie's here too and he's always using those stupid nicknames, you know how he--"
Stevie
"TIFFANI!!"
The brash goofy man grinned and clasped his hands to his heart.
Stevie-
"Oh man, I'm so glad you're okay! I was worried."
Seth-
"Stevie, you remember ANNALISE."
He glowered at Stevie.
Stevie-
"Yeah sure. 'An..na.. lise..'"
He spoke the name like it was completely foreign to him. Anna shook in terror, and ran for the stairs.
Seth-
"Excuse me, Doctor..."
Seth ran after her, he was quite fast.
Stevie-
"God damn. That ain't good for my self-esteem."
Jackson-
"But what was that? If Snake didn't look like such a sweetheart I'd think I should be running after them."
Stevie-
"We were co-workers... Obviously she hated her job. I thought we were cool, but god damn..."
Jackson-
"What the fuck was the job? Acting? I don't get it."
Stevie- (looking a bit shifty)
"Yeah, acting. You know how the biz is. Whatever, eat your tofurkey, muscles."
>>GM Seth chased Anna into the stairwell, and called out to her.
Seth-
"Anna, please...! Stop..!"
Anna-
"NO! Don't think so!"
Seth-
"Come on! I'm not going to tell anyone, you think I want anyone to know that about me either?"
He kept running down the stairs after her.
Anna-
"What about fucking Stevie?! I'm getting the fuck out of here!!"
Seth-
"He's just a dumbass! He's not going to tell, I already chewed his ass out for the stupid nickname shit!"
Anna-
"GRRR!!!"
She stopped, and turned around, pointing a finger as if it could blast a hole in Seth's chest, giving him pause.
Anna-
"Tell me why I shouldn't get the fuck out of here!"
Seth held his hands out in a calming gesture, but looked quite anxious himself.
Seth-
"Listen, I got the same problem as you. I don't want anyone to know about that either. This is a safe place though, that's why you guys came here right? I will throw Stevie out a window if he fucks up, believe me. He's not a bad guy he's just a dummy. Plus, this sounds stupid, but I don't know anybody here besides you and him. I wanna make this a safe place, I really do."
Anna-
"If I leave on a bicycle, the world is my goddamn oyster. I could live off the fat of the land forever. In here, looking out for people is just gonna hold me back."
Seth-
"Who's going to watch for you when you're sleeping? --and there ain't a whole lot of fat in a day or two, all the food's spoiling. We don't know what's going to happen, and what if tonight's worse? "
Anna-
*angry groan* "You don't think I could make it? Screw you man."
Seth-
"Come on, you've seen how many monsters there are. Don't tell me you got here all by yourself either. "
Anna-
"I wouldn't be here if Squint Eastwood hadn't talked me into it. Fuck it... But if it blows up, I'm out."
Seth sighed, and nodded.
Seth-
"Okay. It would be nice for at least one person to be calling me my actual name anyway... if you remember it."
Anna-
"Ss...seth, right?"
Seth-
"Yeah, thanks. Nice to hear it."
He laughed wearily, and wiped his forehead.
Anna-
*Shook her head and sighed*" Get out of here... "
They went back to the sixth floor. |
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Post by ◊◊BLOODBEASTER◊◊ on May 7, 2016 16:20:12 GMT -8
Ben followed the Daiso gang upstairs, and stuck close to them while they were getting their food. He loaded up on meat and other things that seemed like it would offer good nutritional...
Then he spotted Davin sitting by himself, eating food while looking shell-shocked. That looked like bad news. Had his family been killed? Or were they just missing? Maybe that was worse. Ben wouldn't know what to say to the man, so he decided to leave him alone for the moment...
Meanwhile, Ben recognized someone talking to Micah. THAT FLOPPY HAIRED LITTLE BASTARD! That one who wouldn't check to see if his package was in! (Speaking of which, was it actually here?)
Sandy-
"Nice to get a chance to breathe, not to mention eat. Hey Ben, you seem a little distracted. I mean, you did almost die at least once today, so maybe that's it, but..."
Sonya-
"I'm so happy to be alive." She had a little tear in her eye, shook it off, and ate some sausage.
Kaito-
"It's OK, Sonya. I have a good feeling about this place, and Mr. Snake."
>>ALEX When Micah approached, Alex paused his coversation. "I love you, too, Homeboy," he said, with a laugh. "So does Jesus. Hey, you want to share a room with me and Nat?" They'd be like the Three Muskateers. Obviously, Alex would be Aramis. He glanced at Anna and Seth, who were running off somewhere. Strange. Anna seemed like such a stable person. What set her off? With a shrug, Alex turned back to Micah and ... Micah's new friend. Looked like a guy his age. Uh oh. What if they'd already agreed to be roomates?  After Micah left ..."I thought I'd be an obvious choice for a roommate for Nat, haha. I mean, we already know each other. Do they not have co-ed dorms at your school? Of course, depending on how many rooms an apartment has we could all bunk together... I wonder if we should always have two people sleep in the same room, in case of ghosts? Should we leave our doors open and have some kind of ghost patrol? Those things are damn scary." The doctor couldn't help but over hear Sarah's words. "Co-ed? Are you daft or just wanting to play roulette? There's probably less than two weeks before everyone is plumb out of contraception options, let alone which pharmacy is going to fill the birth control pill now. Why don't we all just clean the floor and have a mass orgy to repopulate the planet? Or better yet, we could just pretend we have the epidural for every knocked up woman and a sterile facility for them to deliver... but that is just my opinion." The doctor hummed a moment, his head tilting his gaze to the ceiling. "Prophylactics in every sense of the word would be beneficial. Oh god, I guess I'll have to perform pregnancy screenings too? Sarah, do you like giving me more work?" "JESUS FUCKING CHRIST. What the fuck is wrong with you, doctor? Eat shit, you fucking bastard. Get the fuck out of our conversation if you can't treat people like human beings!" “D-DOCTOR VICTOR!” Alex flushed a deep red. “There will be NO ... there isn’t ... we aren’t animals! And ... and ... and that’s disgusting! DISGUSTING. Apologize to the lady!” The doctor blinked. "I'm not sure whether your shock proves me wrong or right, Sarah. Regardless, I was treating people like human beings. However, if I offended your sensible morals, I apologize. It wasn't my intention. I didn't mean to call you daft. I just think there are lots of things that should be addressed... I always treat people like human beings." "That was treating me like a human being? Alex, I don't need an apology from him, because I'm done respecting him. I'll die from the common cold before I say another word to him." "I doubt that you could die from the common cold. It appears you're quite frigid from the inside out anyways. But, I speak out of malice and a strong distaste for those overly sensitive people. If I say it plain, I again apologize. I feel as if you are the type of woman who would drown in apologies and be too stubborn to come up for air." "There's some kind of irritating buzzing noise going on nearby... sounds like insanity. Best to ignore it." "I ...well...I," Alex said, still blushing furiously. The mental images that Dr. V's insane little rant had conjured were unbearably awkward. "I can't say I have any co-ed experience. But I don't want to be alone. Please, let me stay with you guys." Nat had followed the others upstairs - given a bit of time for the adrenaline rush to lessen, he felt a bit better. It still felt a bit as if he was walking through a dream or, more aptly, a nightmare - he couldn't shake it, not after that frantic maze out infront of the building. The blonde did pick up a little at the scent of food. He piled a plate high with a little bit of everything - distantly, he realized he might regret it later, too many different tastes could make him sick - but he was so hungry - he hadn't eaten much at all the day before, and hadn't managed to catch the take-out-leftovers-dinner, either. Nat gratefully accepted his meal and a mug of coffee, mumbling thankyous to both the cook and the girl, then he followed Sarah back to sit and eat. He had to force himself not to wolf it all down - it would likely only come back up again if he did. Still, Nat had cleaned at least half the plate before Alex meandered over and sat beside him. Nat returned the smile, a touch awkward. "Oh, it's, um, it's okay. J-Just all of this..." He blinked owlishly as the wallet was thrust in his face, taking note of the picture. Similar? A little, but he didn't really look like that did he? Nat spooned up a mouthful of eggs and hashbrowns, chewing and nodding politely as Alex explained - his friend, his family, everything. "My...? Um. Well, my aunt lives in Fremont. I-I hope she's okay... it's, um, it's kind of far, 'though. I-I live with... um, used to... live with a bunch of... friends I guess. I worry about them too." He frowned a little, trailing off. He smiled at Sarah, opening his mouth as if to answer - but then Dr. Victor butted in, and Nat's teeth clicked together as his mouth snapped shut. He hadn't realized the crazy-shouting-man was so close, else he might have tried for a seat further away. There was no helping it now, however, and he blinked again at the man's sudden outburst. "Wha-" Nat's response was drowned out as the others began to argue over... what? Unwanted pregnancies? People having sex? It wasn't like arguing about it would stop it from happening, and really, there were probably better people to preach at. There were other women in the group, after all, and quite a number of new women in the apartment. Nat frowned down at his plate as the argument went on - Victor didn't know when to stop. He wasn't feeling very hungry any more. "Just... just because you have sex on the-the brain, doesn't mean everyone else does," Nat mumbled after the doctor's last comment, casting a quick and rather scathing glance up at him before looking back down. Really, he should probably just keep his mouth shut... Nat was quiet for a few moments until the doctor went away - listening, but not offering up any input. He offered a small chunk of sausage to one of the many dogs scurrying about the apartment, offering up a little smile for the animal as it licked grease off his fingers. Finally, he glanced up at Alex and Sarah. "I'm okay with that. I'd, um, rather not... I mean... so long as it isn't near... him?" He nodded toward the doctor. "I, um, I'd be happy to have you two for roommates." Alex half-smiled. “Thanks, Nat. Yeah, Doc's living la vida loca. Hey, doesn't he resemble a crazier Hannibal Lecter?” As the implications of that (initially flippant) comparison sunk in, Alex blinked worriedly. Maybe that's what Dr. V meant by "monster" earlier. Nah, don't be ridiculous. Alex couldn't stop trusting the group's only healer. And would Hannibal Lecter cuddle the community center puppies? Of course not. Hannibal Lecter might feed a dog pieces of some guy's face, but ... Honestly, Alex hated most crime movies; they were too dark and sad. But his ex girl had a weird side. When they watched Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal together (at her house, because his parents absolutely did not approve), he'd looked away during the tense or gore-filled scenes, while she'd stared at the television raptly. At least Carly was well prepared for the End Times. Nat smiled a little at the comparison, and even offered a chuckle. "M-Maybe? But Hannibal was a-a lot more charismatic." He didn't seem particularly concerned with the comparison - oh, the doctor might be *crazy* and verbally abusive, but he couldn't imagine the man as a cannibal. Of course, given the current events, he didn't care to dwell on the idea for more than the briefest of moments - thinking about *that* would only panic him again. He offered another awkward smile: "M-maybe he's like... House? He left his, um, his drugs back home..." "Oh, um. A little older. I'm twenty-two..." But wait, was that even right? How many days had it been since this mess began? His birthday was on the 6th... Nat frowned. "Um, actually I... I might be twenty-three. What day is it, um, today?" "Um, my roommates? Where do you, er, did you... go to school? We went to Seattle Central... But ah, I guess Aidan and Ari went out to parties a lot..." He seemed to think a for a few moments. "Aidan is, um, kind of short, really friendly, brown hair... um... He looks... kinda how I imagine a surfer would look? Ari's... um, Hispanic I think? Looks... a little like you, I guess? If you weren't so tall, and um, skinnier..." "Can you tell me more about your roomates?" Alex asked Nat. "Maybe I know 'em. You can't be much older than I am, right? Nineteen?" "It's the fifth, I think. Hard to know without my cell phone. Whoa, wait, today's your birthday? Hey! We gotta find some cake." Alex exhaled with sympathy. Poor Nat. Not much of a happy birthday, huh? "I was studying at Seattle U. Second year there, so, ah, guess I don’t know any of your friends from Central. But if this Ari looks like me, he must be one handsome son of a gun." Alex grinned and pointed to himself. "Am I right, or am I right?" Okay, so pride and vanity were sins. But Alex was damn grateful for his face, considering how frightening his dad looked. Well, the Good Lord worked in mysterious ways. Really, Alex more closely resembled his Uncle Brick, Dad's half-brother. The guy was a textbook black sheep; he made a killing in backroom poker games and lived in a van. Obviously, Alex's parents rarely mentioned his uncle. They didn't even pray for him. Well, as Emil always said, que sera, sera. "I don’t want to be rude," Alex said, looking between Nat and Sarah, "but are you two, ah, are you guys dating?" "Oh. Um. No-no. It's the sixth," he barked a laugh, it was a somewhat depressing sound. "I, uh, I guess I wasn't planning on doing anything for it, anyway. So, um..." Nat trailed off, letting Alex talk. He smiled a little at that 'handsome son of a gun' comment. "Um, yeah, I, uh, I think so, anyway. I-I mean, you know, he was-er, is. Always had people fawning over him, um..." Nat's face flushed a little, embarrased, and shook his head. "They um, all of them, probably have people to worry about, too... I, uh, well I'd like to think they can handle themselves, y-you know?" Nat blinked at Alex's last question. Then blinked at Sarah, looking a touch uncertain. "Um. No? We, uh, we're friends, and we work... um, worked together?" While he had, occasionally, entertained the idea, he had never approached her about the prospect. It was too weird - she was his friend, and he didn't want to screw that up. "Um, so I mean, it um. It shouldn't be that awkward, the three of us rooming together, right?" Alex shook his head. "Nah. Not awkward. It's not like we'll be in the same bed ahaha! Emiliano said I sleep talk sometimes, but it's all boring stuff. Look, I know everything's gone to ... hell lately. But you need a piece of cake tomorrow, anyway. Oh! I'll ask the woman who made this breakfast." Holy long convo, Batman! Kilnarak, does everything look all right chronologically? Is the convo clear? I didn’t want to chop up Nat’s long part without your guidance, because it was written so beautifully. >>GM After Micah interrupted and left, Sarah turned to Alex.
Sarah-
"I thought I'd be an obvious choice for a roommate for Nat, haha. I mean, we already know each other. Do they not have co-ed dorms at your school? Of course, depending on how many rooms an apartment has we could all bunk together...
I wonder if we should always have two people sleep in the same room, in case of ghosts? Should we leave our doors open and have some kind of ghost patrol? Those things are damn scary."
>>DOCTOR VICTOR The doctor couldn't help but over hear Sarah's words. "Co-ed? Are you daft or just wanting to play roulette? There's probably less than two weeks before everyone is plumb out of contraception options, let alone which pharmacy is going to fill the birth control pill now. Why don't we all just clean the floor and have a mass orgy to repopulate the planet? Or better yet, we could just pretend we have the epidural for every knocked up woman and a sterile facility for them to deliver... but that is just my opinion." The doctor hummed a moment, his head tilting his gaze to the ceiling. "Prophylactics in every sense of the word would be beneficial. Oh god, I guess I'll have to perform pregnancy screenings too? Sarah, do you like giving me more work?" >>GM Anna walked through the Comm Center looking for a corner to sink into. Jackson called out to her, then went to her.
Jackson-
"Anna! Anna, are you-?"
He caught up to her and spoke more quietly.
Jackson-
"You don't have to say anything about anything, I just want to see you OK."
Anna-
"Ha. Right about now, that's a damn laugh."
Jackson-
"Whatever you want. I'll do a handstand. I don't know how to say this without sounding cheesy or creepy, but you're the coolest person I've met since this started, just really intense. I don't want to see you get in trouble."
Anna-
"Easy there, man, I ain't going anywhere yet."
Stevie saw "Snake" on the way back in.
Stevie-
"Hey, eh, Seth, come over here... I guess no talking about work, huh? Fuck it, whatever you guys want. You know me."
Seth returned, to talk quietly with Stevie for a moment. He looked a bit exhausted, but relieved. He went to get another plate of food and ate it like he hadn't eaten in three days, even though he'd just finished a plate of food five minutes ago.>>PATTI Abdul-Rahman led Patti down a hall to the south stairwell, and up it toward the roof exit. He dismissively waved her away from Sarah's cussing and other drama.
"Abdul"-
"From here you will see once more how grave out situation truly is. I hope you are prepared."
He opened the door. Patti go to rooftop thread.>>GM On the roof they saw big-eyed guy that Patti was hatin' on. They acknowledged each other without many words, and Abdul walked Patti close to the edge, enough to see.
Abdul-
"I am not one to engage in petty religious hand-waving. My faith in Allah is about the order and goodness in life, not some petty concern for my own salvation.
This has nothing to do with god, but merely with the follies of man. And a great folly it is."
Looking out over the world, Patti can see zombies from hell to breakfast. They weren't carpeting the street, per se, but there were groups here and there in every direction - a dozen here, a hundred there, a thousand there - with stragglers in between. There were fewer people visible running now, and most were too far away to be able to invite into the building. Abandoned cars made the roads difficult for anyone still trying to drive.
Kenny-
"That's deep Abdul. That shit's about how I feel too."
>>PATTI "Yeah. That's. That's fucked." Patti walked the full perimeter of the building, surveying all she could see. It seemed to get worse in every direction she looked. She walked back to Rahman and (Kenny, was it?). "What have we got in the way of personnel? Any soldiers or cops? Doctors, nurses, mechanics, gunsmiths, construction workers, pilots, stunt drivers, seventeenth-level clerics?" >>GM
Kenny-
"We done alright for ourselves. Seth's some kinda baseball guy and he was wackin' heads off zombies left and right! Don't want any fucking pigs in here though, god. I heard they were taking over buildings and executing unarmed people. That's fucked up."
Abdul-
"Kenneth, that's not right. We need to have order, law enforcement is the only way to maintain order."
Kenny -
"I sure as hell don't want some pig with a gun thinking they got the right to tell other people what to do. You know what happens... Seattle PD don't got the rep it does for no reason, those guys are total animals. Absolute power man, you know what they say."
Abdul-
"Kenneth, why don't you go downstairs and I will take over your guard duty."
Kenny-
"Sure 'nuff man. See ya."
Abdul watched Kenny leave, and waited to speak until he was gone.
Abdul-
"We're going to have a meeting today, to vote for leader. I find it of the utmost imperative that we maintain order. We don't know what kind of people we are dealing with, and someone needs to exercise foresight and authority or the mad will go madder. This is war and we need a military leader. I have this kind of experience in my home country. We cannot leave this to civilians."
>>MICAH Micah was about to answer Alex but then Sarah butted in. She clearly wanted to keep Nat as close as possible. They did make a very blonde, very cute couple. Then shit hit the proverbial fan, as the doctor butted in with his usual schtick. Micah couldn't help chuckle to himself, not so fucking idyllic anymore. Nothing like sexist diatribe to rupture still waters. On the other hand, he doubted anyone would remember his outburst to the kid. Except the kid, those things had memories like elephants. Bryce- "Yeah, you can come with me downstairs, I had a place I was staying on the third floor, not like my real place but I was there while my parents were out of town. I'm Bryce, by the way. My parents were the managers... Wonder if they're still alive..." "Hi Bryce, Micah. You never know, can't count anyone out until their zombies appear. My family is out in Australia, so chances are I'll never know. Count yourself lucky. Let's go downstairs and let things cool off here." Micah will follow Bryce downstairs, he'll look for anything dark or half-indie and some new shoes if possible.>>BEN
Sandy-
"Nice to get a chance to breathe, not to mention eat. Hey Ben, you seem a little distracted. I mean, you did almost die at least once today, so maybe that's it, but..."
"Oh, I was just thinking about a package," Ben replied. "Some cosplay stuff for Sakuracon. Doesn't really matter now, does it? Now everyone who's going is going to be a zombie." Then he watched with some concern when that 'Snake' guy followed Anna. What was that all about? Was there a problem with that guy that Ben should know about? Or had the guy just said something insensitive that he was desperate to apologise for? Like, "Ha ha, our building is much better than yours?" "Wonder what that was about..." >>MICAH "Hi Bryce, Micah. You never know, can't count anyone out until their zombies appear. My family is out in Australia, so chances are I'll never know. Count yourself lucky. Let's go downstairs and let things cool off here." Micah will follow Bryce downstairs, he'll look for anything dark or half-indie and some new shoes if possible.
Bryce-
"Yeah things are getting a little intense around here... Follow me."
Micah, Follow Bryce to the 3rd floor thread>>GM
Bryce slumped down the stairs, Micah found he had to slow his normal pace to not bump into the kid. He seemed really sluggish, but wasn't falling over or anything.
Bryce-
"Sorry I'm all messed up."
They came to the third floor, which seemed completely abandoned. The building was surprisingly silent here. Bryce unlocked the door to what at first seemed to be a completely empty apartment. Micah saw as he entered, that it was actually just some kind of 'sample' apartment with very spare furnishings. It looked brand new at first glance, but then he saw the thin coating of dust on everything. There were several bottles of alcohol and prescription medication on an end table. Bryce walked over to a suitcase and started rifling through it.
Bryce-
"Sorry I don't got a lot. So you're Australian? I wish I wasn't from here, that'd be cool."
He found a pair of gray skinny jeans, and a slightly wrinkled turquoise t-shirt with a line drawing of a deer on it. He handed them to Micah.
The room was very dim with only some filtered light coming in from the closed blinds. The air was filled with dusty particles flying around and smelled like wine and new carpet. Bryce looked kind of gray in the poor lighting, and his big dark eyes looked black. He gave Micah an inscrutable look, avoiding direct eye contact.
Bryce-
"Hey, so are you gay?"
He looked around the room for a moment.
Bryce-
"--Or like, flexible or whatever... 'Cause I'm gay. Just... fyi."
>>MICAH
The sheer starkness of the room creeped Micah out somewhat. He preferred a more lived in look, but then the guy didn't look very alive though. He might get the doctor to keep an eye on him, he could see the guy going all demonic like Mary.
Micah looked at the booze and pills, he had guessed right. There had been a rebellious period in his teens when he'd tried all that, but he didn't want to go down that path ever again.
He took the shirt and jeans, looking the guy up and down. Why were all the slightly messed up people hitting on him? Did he scream damaged goods or something? Sure Micah had his ups and downs, but he didn't think he was that damaged in the grand scheme of things. He had a stable enough job now, he was just a coward.
He was cute enough, but his drugged out nature was enough for Micah to run the other way. He'd had a boyfriend like that once and it hadn't been very pretty. The light wasn't doing him any favours either, the dull tone of skin and blackened eyes reminding him of a beetle. The backdrop adding to the metaphor. The guy was antsy as fuck too, not looking him in the eye as if scared of what he'd find. Yup, the guy was kind of a bug.
"Thanks, yes I am Australian. Uh do you have any shoes I could nick? That's...ah nice. I've had a couple of girlfriends but I have tended to head that way most of the time, so I guess I'm gay. I'll ah keep that in mind. So shoes please?"
>>GM "Thanks, yes I am Australian. Uh do you have any shoes I could nick? That's...ah nice. I've had a couple of girlfriends but I have tended to head that way most of the time, so I guess I'm gay. I'll ah keep that in mind. So shoes please?"
Bryce-
"Yeah I got some shoes but just one other pair. Don't wear 'em out, ha."
He handed Micah a pair of slightly blown out black Converse. They'd be a little snug but passable.
Bryce-
"I wasn't trying to like, hit on you by the way. Just curious. Only like 1 in 12 or whatever, right?"
>>MICAH "Apparently, thanks by the way. I though I'd be fucking stuck in this get up a while. Do you mind if I just use your bathroom to get changed real quick?" >>GM
Bryce-
"Yeah go 'head. There's toilet paper on the-- oh you'll see it. I'm gonna smoke, you want me to roll you one? It's pretty good stuff, who knows when we'll get more."
>>MICAH
Micah-
"Ah no, I'll be right thanks. You go ahead."
Micah ducked into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. It was pretty dim and he had to feel his way mostly to the loo.
Once his eyes adjusted to the light, he found the bathroom to be a mess. There was still a faint scent of cleaning product but towels and bits of toliet paper littered the floor. He hoped Bryce's aim was better than he suspected. The boots were fucking hard to get off, the laces and straps tangling. He loosened as much as he could and pulled it off, the force sending his head back into the toliet tank. "Ohh fuck!", he checked the back of his head for blood. Nothing, it just hurt like fuck.
He continued more carefully with the next and thankfully it behaved itself. The rest of the goth wear came off more easily. He put on the jeans and then the shoes, wanting to spend the least amount of time possible with his feet on bare floor. The shirt smelt a little of weed, but it was hard to tell with the smell wafting in from the lounge. The ensemble was a little dishevelled but then so were his clothes most of the time. He couldn't fold for shit and so his wardrobe just consisted of a pile of clothes, shoved into all the nooks. When he came out Bryce was puffing heavily on a spliff.
"Well, I'll leave you to it. Catch you later, have err fun."
He made his way hurriedly out of the smoke filled apartment and headed back up to the 6th floor. His old clothes and boots in his hands. >>GM Bryce watched Micah go without a word.
Bryce-
"Man that kid better not be a narc..."
>>GM
Seth seemed recovered from whatever scene had happened, and started making the rounds greeting the new people. He chatted with Kaito for a couple minutes and then came by to say hello to Sonya, Sandy and Ben.
Seth-
"Hi everyone, do you like the food?"
Sonya-
"Yes! It's very nice, thank you. We really appreciate."
Seth-
"Oh no problem, it's all going to go bad anyway. We might as well get our energy up now, 'cause there's a lot of work ahead. What do you guys do for a living?"
Sonya-
"Sandy and I work at Daiso, is a Japanese dollar store. Like Kaito does. I am in school for engineer."
Seth -
"Wow! What kind of engineer?"
Sonya-
"Electrical engineering. I am in senior year... or... I guess I was."
Seth-
"Oh man, we could really use your help sometime. We have an idea-- if the power doesn't go back on, maybe we can make something that we can use to power small electrical devices like phones."
Sonya-
"Oh yes, with kinetic energy. Like hand cranks. I could do this."
Seth smiled broadly.
Seth -
"Amazing! We'll have to talk more...?"
Sonya-
"I am Sonya. Thank you Mr. Snake."
Seth-
"Haha, um, "Seth." Thank you. -and you?"
Sandy-
"Sandy. Yeah I work at Daiso too. Nothing cool otherwise like Sonya, just an indolent hipster. Former art student, current... uh, layabout."
Seth-
"Don't worry, I spent all my time on baseball and I didn't use that skill after college until yesterday."
Sandy -
"So are you like the boss here?"
Seth-
"No, actually we're going to have a vote a little later. I don't really see why, but some people think we should have an official leader."
Sandy-
"Yeah, I hope we don't get ruled by some fucking pig or something."
Seth-
"We don't have any police here... (did he just mutter 'thankfully?') So how about you there, you must be the warrior of the group?"
Seth smiled at Ben.>>BEN
Seth-
"We don't have any police here... (did he just mutter 'thankfully?') So how about you there, you must be the warrior of the group?"
Seth smiled at Ben.
Ben-
"Well, I have been taking Kendo lessons, and happened to have my armour in the car. But I'm not much of a fighter. Armour is a life-saver though,"
Ben replied, pulling up his left-hand kote arm guard from his belt and showing the teeth-marks.
"I'm actually a programmer, and I guess if we can get some electricity going, that could actually be of some use. Maybe. If we need something programmed..."
He smiled at Sonya. Not only did she have a useful skill, but it was one that could make his own skills useful, despite the apocalypse. It was like they were made for each other! Or rather, as if she was made for him. That wasn't quite as nice, but still pretty good. If it was true. But Ben didn't feel too confident about the whole situation.
Then he quickly realised that he should introduce himself as well. "Oh yeah, I'm Ben Hanson," he said, offering his hand to Seth. "I have an apartment on the fifth floor."
Seth-
"Nice to meet you, Ben. I really hope more of the residents will come back, I feel really bad breaking into people's places without their permission. "
>>GM Depending on where one looked the light was dim or bright, with the areas not hit by the skylights or shadowed by crowds going indistinct. There was too much noise and tension.
An ill-looking man was talking to a woman, interrupting the furious scribbling she was doing in a day planner.
Volya-
"Um, hullo. I don't feel too well."
Planner-
"You don't look well. Didn't you guys come with a very wordy doctor?"
Volya-
"Oh yeah. I see him."
Volya went to the Dr. Victor.
Volya-
"Um, hullo again. I don't feel too well."
>>DOCTOR VICTOR Dr. Victor whipped around, looking at Volya with a hint of pleasure to be broken from the she-devil Lilith-tour groupie. His eyes widened at the sight of the young man. Reaching into the back pocket of the pleated-khaki pants, the good doctor quickly tugged them on. "Volya, sit down. Can someone get me my dufflebag? Volya, I need you to take off your shirt please, if you can. Can someone get me a pair of scissors? Are you bleeding through your shirt? Do you feel warm still? Can I get some cool water? Where the hell is my duffle? I'm going to start an iv in your arm to get you some fluid. Have you eaten or drank anything since you've gotten here? Did you over-exert yourself in the run?" The doctor fired his questions off in a slower succession, his personal demands harshly whispered over his shoulder. His earlier grudge seemingly dispelled from his voice, the man allowed himself to slide into his second nature; it almost was calming. He attempted to get a good look at Volya's bite, resorting to cutting it off if he had to. Common cold my ass, sister, all I need now is you to squeak like a four year old and cling to the blonde kid."I'll get you through this, Volya. Just keep talking to me, okay?" >>GM
Volya-
"Oh man, I don't feels that bad. I just kinda... *urp* I dunno. Kinda... un-great, you know? Like... tired and kinda weird. Maybe just like some rubbing alcohols, maybe a stitch or something. I get in skateboarding accident, doctor just uses saline, no big deal. "
>>DOCTOR VICTOR "Volya, you're nauseous... have you been drinking? You should go lie down. I have some antiseptic in my bag but I think I should put you on some fluids. It is going to make you urinate frequently, but otherwise I think it will help flush you clean, and lower your fever. As for the bite... I guess I should attempt to tend to it with, uh... something. Normally, I'd have a better set up. If I had the ability to, I would inject a local anesthetic in order to examine the wound thoroughly without causing additional pain. So... you may need the stick after all. The next step is to remove dead tissue, foreign matter, and blood clots, all of which can become sources of infection. After debriding the wound, I could cut away the edges of the tissue, as clean edges heal faster and are less likely to form scar tissue. Only after I know I'm not just throwing grease on a fire, I can irrigate, or flush, the wound with saline. I just... I'd rather have the saline in you... but... gah! Where's the stupid nurse telling me we have plenty of supplies in the storage room now when I need him?" The doctor fetched his own bag, digging out the supplies he needed. He gave Seth a look of revelation. "Maybe we should do this in a better location, hmm? Care to show us to someplace more appropriate?" >>GM
Seth-
"Hmm.. there's a kitchen back here. I'm afraid there's not many sanitary places, but I think they've got a first aid kit in there. Once we get some things settled we're going to start going through apartments looking for supplies."
Seth showed the doctor to the community center's kitchen, which was actually built like one in a restaurant. Much larger than a residential kitchen, it had a variety of steel cutlery and an over-large refrigerator and oven. It was relatively empty, and covered in white tile with white counters. Seth poked around and found a blue plastic 'first aid kit' which had some basic medical supplies.
Seth-
"Sorry, I think that's all we have for right now. We'll get you outfitted better soon. That'd be on my top priorities."
>>DOCTOR VICTOR "This way, Volya. I think it'd be better if you just hopped onto the counter instead of trying to drag a chair." Dr. Victor took the blue kit, giving it a discerning look, but nodded quickly. "Thank you, Seth. This will be fine for now. I think... Yes! Just what I needed." The doctor popped the plastic lid open with a snapping click. He let out a jolly ho ho ho and pulled out a small, ketchup-sized bottle of saline spray and some lanacane spray. He checked the expiration date with a small frown and shrugged at the code. "Well, no stick for you, Volya. You still didn't tell me if you are consenting to this." The doctor tossed the dufflebag onto a smaller metal prep station with a clang. He set out the gauze roll and bandages, pulled out the first suture set. A shame I have to waste the whole set on just clean- Wait, I have no regulations to uphold any more. And, it would be worse to waste something I need later. I can seal it up later, but considering the cause for the wound... Ripping off the flimsy film cover, Dr. Victor pulled out the small complimentary scalpel and pair of shiny stainless steel scissors. With his tools at the ready, he quickly pivoted around on the balls of his feet like a cheesy eighties dance move, his face an alabaster wall. "Volya, I have a numbing agent which should help with the pain, but please remember there is a little girl somewhere out there who does not need any addional traumatic stimuli. If you have to scream, bite into your shirt. I doubt it will hurt that much though. Your heritage is probably from very strong stock. You look like you can handle almost any pain; I envy that in you." As the doctor cooed over his patient's stature, he proceeded to begin his precursory examination. The wound definitely had some infection. Actually, it was completely typical of an animal bite at this point, or a human bite for that matter. Perhaps a less freshly dead zombie would have left a worse infection, but who can say? People aren't typically bitten by rotting things.Volya- "Um, consent? Stimulies? I don't underst- Oh yeah, bite shirt. That I get." >>ALEX
After his conversation with Nat, Alex meandered around the community center, seeking out President Seth. He'd been chatting with Ben and the gals earlier. Better watch out, Ben.
Alex glimpsed Dr. Victor and the President near the kitchen. Oh. Oh no. Alex didn't think he could face the doctor for a little while. Not after the embarrassing way he'd treated Sarah. But he really needed to ask Seth a question ...
He indecisively loitered outside the kitchen, waiting and shifting his weight from foot to foot.
The day planner lady approached. She hobbled and leaned on the wall, then sat and tried to get his attention.
Lady-
"Excuse me, sir... My name is Marie, I'm trying to help Seth and Stevie organize the building. Is there anything I can help you with?"
>>GM Seth left the doctor to his work, and exited the kitchen. He noticed Alex and Marie and smiled. He smiled a lot.
Seth-
"Hey champ, how's it going? What was your name again?"
>>ALEX
Alex smiled when Marie spoke to him. "No, Ma'am. I should be asking how I can help you ..."
Then, the president approached. "It's Alex, Mr. Seth." He put out a hand to shake. "I know ... this might seem kind of trivial, considering, but do you guys have a gym around here? Maybe some weights?" He was itching to burn off that protein-rich breakfast, and if Alex didn't continue training, who knows how fast his muscles would wither. In five years, he hadn't gone a day without completing his cardio-weight-training-fusion routine.
>>GM
Marie-
"Thanks, ahem..."No need for a gym. We've come up with a list of things to do which will have everyone sweating blood by five o'clock."
>>GM
Seth-
"Yeah, afraid we got a lot of lumpin' to do. We're going to start going through the rooms, looking for useful items. Glad you're ready for some physical labor though, haha. We'll need to move a lot of furniture by the end of the day, I'm sure. I know what you mean though, I wish I had my jump rope with me..."
Marie-
"Actually, for now, could you help me in to see the doctor? My feet...."
>>DOCTOR VICTOR Dr. Victor nodded and motioned his hand from his own shirt towards his mouth. Once the patient was sufficiently silenced, the real work began. 15 minute procedure doctor. No point in having it be long and drawn out. The spray hissed out of the can, and the doctor half-expected the other man to flinch at its cool mist. Clinking some metal bits together, the doctor pulled out the small scalpel first. He poked Volya's hand with the back end to make sure the localized anesthetic had kicked in. As he worked, the doctor seemed more and more annoyed. Cutting was done with the steadiest of hands, draining taking expert care and time for the wound to fully be void of all pus. The wounded flesh would heal faster, and that, too seemed to cause the doctor more discomfort than the pain. I was so sure he was going to be a contagious creature. Why was I wrong? I'm not wrong; I'm hardly ever wrong. A fever that strong... unless ETOH was involved... and that is a possibility, a very racist one at that.Turning from the patient, Dr. Victor grabbed some fresh gauze and dabbed at the arm bite. "Volya, you are a great patient. Please make sure to keep your arm free from clothing for a while." Dr. Victor began to rinse out the wound with the small spray nozzle of saline, his bottom lip jutting over his top. "I am going to go against normal protocol given the special circumstances. As I tape this bandage over your forearm, I want you to keep it on it with this ointment for a while. It won't be as good as letting your wound breathe, but considering the current situation, I- uh. Keep covered and don't bump it. If it soak through come back. I find pill for you to take, ya?" The doctor grinned momentarily, his butchered accent flying over his head. He had wished he took some foreign language class, if it wasn't such a waste of time. Especially now, since there was undoubtedly no phone translation service available. He offered a sympathetic shrug to his patient before adding the contents of the first aid kit to his duffle bag. "Oh, please send in the next patient if there is anyone. I thought I heard someone. Might as well finish this all before lunch, though I could use a change of clothes. And they wonder why I don't care for frivolities like 'political correctness' anymore. In this state, there isn't any room for people who would hesitate. That will get you killed faster than a cold."
Volya-
"OK, man. That anesthetic wasn't bads... Shit was creepy to watch though. Thanks."
>>ALEX
Alex was mildly disappointed. He thought a big place like 403 surely had a gym. But at least he'd be useful. When Marie mentioned her feet, he raised his eyebrows and looked down. He couldn't see the full extent of the damage, but by the way she held herself, both of her feet must've hurt."Oh ... no. Please let me carry you, Ma'am!" He put out his arms, like he expected her to jump right into them. "Of course. He’ll fix you right up!" Marie seemed amused, but was unable to jump. Nevertheless, she held her arms out to be picked up. Alex could see her feet were wrapped in scarves and makeshift bandages.
Marie-
"Sir, you are a prince."
Alex gingerly picked the woman up bridal-style, careful not to jostle her or touch anything that shouldn't be touched. He took her into the kitchen and, without putting Marie down, cleared his throat to draw the doctor's attention.>>MICAH
When he arrived on the sixth floor, he put the gothic clothing in a pile in one of the chairs. He'd take it with him to wherever room he was given later on . He wandered around until he found Alex carrying a middle aged Asian woman."Urgh, what are you doing mate?"
Marie- (to Alex)
"This is very nice, but, hehe..."
Marie looked bashful and smiled sheepishly at Micah.>>GM Abdul came down from the roof with Patti. Thierry, a well-groomed physically fit black man with a smooth demeanor, moved to replace him for the guard duty.
Abdul-
"Not yet my friend."
Thierry gave him a strange look. He noticed Patti's gun with distaste.
Abdul -
"We should begin the vote now, while everyone's together."
Thierry-
"If you insist." He spoke dryly with his smooth Euro accent.
Abdul began gathering people back into the community center. Seth noticed what he was doing.
Seth-
"Yeah... the vote. Is everyone here?"
Abdul-
"Everyone is here, I am sure."
Seth-
"Susie's still downstairs. I don't see Bryce..."
Abdul looked exasperated as Seth sent some people to get the missing members.
Seth-
"So, we just have a raise of hands or something?"
Abdul-
"No, if we do things in this way, it will be only a popularity contest and may not reflect the true merit of the candidate."
Seth-
"Oookay... That's good enough for America, but whatever. How else could we do it?"
Abdul-
"In an ideal circumstance a vote would be unnecessary, because democracy is the last form of government you want when lives are on the line."
Stevie-
"What the hell man! Remember what country yer in, pal!"
Seth-
"Yeeah, might not bring that one up in front of the crowd..."
Abdul-
"*sigh* Nonetheless, whatever we can do to establish consensus would be the best. Who can make the best case should be he who prevails."
Seth-
"Alright, how about whoever wants to run makes a 'proposal', and we show the proposals without names on them. People vote for the one they like the best, and that person wins."
Abdul-
"That still favors the erudite, which is not necessarily a skill a strong leader requires, but I suppose it will have to do."
Stevie-
"We gotta make sure the votes are public, so nobody stuffs the ballot box."
Abdul-
"That would intimidate people into not voting in a way they might perceive is unpopular. It's unjust."
Seth-
"Okay, how about they write the vote on a piece of paper with their name, and we write those up on the board. They won't know what the popular vote is until it's too late."
Abdul-
"You mean that names should not be attached to the proposals... Therefore all votes are for anonymous candidates. I find that to be... as acceptable as it can be. Perhaps someone should say something in favor of each proposal as well, on a volunteer basis."
Seth-
"Hmm.. maybe just particular people or everyone will assume the person who's talking is the one who wrote it."
Abdul-
"Good point, but perhaps that's a risk worth taking. People may guess on the manner of speaking as well, so it isn't exactly a blind test anyhow."
Seth-
"Hell, whatever. I thought a show of hands was fine, but let's see how it goes."
Seth got the crowd's attention, waving as the last stragglers arrived.
Seth-
"We're going to start the vote for leader. If anyone wants to run, come up here and submit your 'proposal'. People will vote for the one they like the best."
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Post by ◊◊BLOODBEASTER◊◊ on May 7, 2016 16:20:41 GMT -8
>>ALEX
Alex put Marie on the impromptu operating table. He glanced hesitantly at the doctor, and then whispered to the woman, "He might be rude. Don’t mind it. If he’s TOO rude, let me know." With this, Alex stepped back and joined Micah."What am I doing?" He grinned. "I'm sweeping lovely ladies off their feet. You know what I mean. C'mon, a guy like you has to have somebody special." Alex nudged Micah. "Hey, this place is all right. Isn't it?" As he speaks, he will head to the crowd gathering to hear proposals and vote. >>GM Chantelle came upstairs with Susie and Bryce. Bryce had a small white object tucked behind his ear, barely visible behind his hair. He also smelled weeded-out and had glassy red eyes.
Chantelle-
"Bryce, I can't believe you...!"
Bryce-
"What? I got this from a dispensary. I have a prescription, it helps balance me."
Chantelle-
"Really?"
Bryce-
"Yeah."
Chantelle-
"Maybe you should try like... meditation?"
Bryce-
"Not while I got medication."
Susie giggled. Kenny ran up to the late-comers.
Kenny-
"Whoa, wish I was where you guys were... This scene is dead. So to speak."
A buff young man waved them over.
Derek-
"Come on guys, we gotta vote! This shit is serious!"
>>NAT After all of that drama over breakfast, Nat had taken up feeding left-over scraps from his meal to the various pets scurrying about. He had taken a particular liking to two snuffly bulldogs - they kept coming over to lick his hands and beg for scraps. Given enough time, he'd likely spoil the dogs rotten. He felt more than a bit better, really. It was kind of weird, with so many people around. But the dogs made him feel better. They were a calming distraction. And of course, Sarah staying nearby helped as well. He could deal with strange faces fine, behind the barricade of a coffee bar and in the armor of his apron, but he had neither of those now, and there were too many strangers here. Sarah was the one who keyed him in to the commotion over near... that smiley man with the scarf. He reluctantly left the dogs to go see what was going on. People were gathering to vote for a leader, and despite some initial dispute over the method of taking said vote, it looked like an agreement was being reached. The crowd was crowdy.>>DOCTOR VICTOR Dr. Victor shook his head as Alex appeared to mouth off. The urge to retort was cut short by his most recent patient and her striking appearance. "We worked together, didn't we? You worked at UWMC. What happened to your feet? This is not good. I'm going to remove the bandage slowly, if it hurts let me know, okay?" The doctor began to remove the wrapping, his nose crinkling at the odor. He rinsed the grime and other unsavory surprises off the bottom of her feet, shaking his head. "So, I suppose you're going to be voting for Seth? I was leaning more towards this one woman we had with us. Her name is Patti. She's a great shot and can calm almost any situation. I saw Seth seem to have some sort of drama with a few people. Patti is above that. Not that I care what happens. Just as long as someone can do what needs to be done in specific situations." The doctor wiped his forearm across his face, blinking away the sweat. He frowned a little more, seeing the in-depth work still needed. Dr. Victor glanced around, finding a small tray. He pulled over a stool and set the tray on his lap. "What can you tell me about Seth? I apologize but this is going to sound like I'm pulling shrapnel from a soldier. I am going to say you did have very nice toes. I'll try and keep your pedicure as intact as possible." >>GM Marie- "I don't do pedicures, but I may spend an undue amount of time on foot hygiene. Oh, and what good is it now? How long will this horror show take to heal?" Her feet had been extremely badly abraded, skin torn open in multiple places on both."I don't recognize you, but maybe you visited my building before. I work at the Research Center a few blocks north. Which one did you work at? (Dr. Vic worked in the U District, much further away.)As for Seth, eh, all I know is he's trying to help people, didn't want to be a formal leader, and doesn't carry a gun. I don't know where you're from doctor, but you may find that many people here don't find firearms very reassuring, even given the present situation. But if your friend wants to nominate herself, she's welcome to. We hadn't settled on a process last I heard, but anyone can make a case for anyone, to be followed by a vote. Are they starting up out there?" She looked to the end of the kitchen where it opened into the common area, and saw the blonde kid with glasses, and a few others moving toward to east end of that room. Some discussion could be heard over the quiet sounds of the doctor's labors.>>DOCTOR VICTOR Doctor Victor let out a slow breath. "Dr. Victor. My name is Dr. Victor. I fear this may take quite a while to heal, depending on various factors. But we might be able to scare up a few crutches or the like for you to use in the interim. As long as you spend as little time as possible on your feet, the faster it will heal. Again, open wounds would be better than closing them with cloth, but I feel it would be better with these bandages over them. "I was in the Research Center twice, for obscure committee meetings- I dislike that campus. I am, or rather was, the Chief of Emergency Medicine in the U District. At least you can tell I didn't make the position based on my brilliant personality and ability to kiss ass. "Patti won't nominate herself. But, I don't think a single person making the decisions is best anyways. Of course, I've seen what happens when you have to go and sit on a committee to determine if something deserves a committee. If Patti and Seth worked together, it would be best. As long as they had a healthy respect for each other, I'd feel better knowing two people made the decisions instead of one." Finishing up, the doctor stuck his head out the door, giving Alex a stern look. "Alex, if you could, help this young lady around to a chair? I'll look for a suitable set of crutches, ma'am. No worries." The doctor moved towards the crowd, pursing his lips in thought. >>ALEX Alex half-smiled. “Thanks, Nat. Yeah, Doc's living la vida loca. Hey, doesn't he resemble a crazier Hannibal Lecter?” As the implications of that (initially flippant) comparison sunk in, Alex blinked worriedly. Maybe that's what Dr. V meant by "monster" earlier. Nah, don't be ridiculous. Alex couldn't stop trusting the group's only healer. And would Hannibal Lecter cuddle the community center puppies? Of course not. Hannibal Lecter might feed a dog pieces of some guy's face, but ... Honestly, Alex hated most crime movies; they were too dark and sad. But his ex girl had a weird side. When they watched Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal together (at her house, because his parents absolutely did not approve), he'd looked away during the tense or gore-filled scenes, while she'd stared at the television raptly. At least Carly was well prepared for the End Times. "Can you tell me more about your roomates?" Alex asked Nat. "Maybe I know 'em. You can't be much older than I am, right? Nineteen?" Killy! Once Nat has said his piece, I can try to organize the conversation in a pleasing way and post it back in the thread. And Nat's scathing look and owlish expressions are SO CUTE. Also, sorry doctor, Alex is being a goober. But Dr. Victor scared him with that orgy/pregnancy talk.>>GM As the group began to gather, setting up folding chairs or just sitting directly on the floor, a stout black man spoke up.
Eddy-
"We're gonna do a vote, but there's no goddamn point in voting if we're planning on leaving. Shouldn't we be asking who's even gonna bother staying first?"
Seth-
"That's true, people should be free to go as they please. Maybe we should just go around and see who wants to stay before we continue."
Abdul-
"It's not safe out there, Eddy. It's just... madness to try to get out. Everybody tried to do that at the same time, traffic is blocking every way out you could take."
Eddy-
"Not if I take a bike, rather go out there than be trapped here."
Stevie-
"Abdul's right, I mean those things is slow but... they're so goddamn many of them."
Eddy-
"Yeah, perfect reason to not wait for them to fill up this building."
Seth-
"They haven't gotten in here yet... but I do think Eddy should be able to go if he wants to. Anyone else too."
Thierry-
"I took a class on crowd dynamics in college, I think the large numbers might have effects you're unprepared for if you try to leave."
Eddy-
"Whatever man. I'm gonna do what I'm gonna do. Anybody wants to come with me can."
Seth-
"Yeah, everyone get together here, and let's go around and see who's going to stay or leave."
>>BEN
Ben-
"Oh, I'm staying."
He was pretty sure that most people would stay. At least most of the ones that had just gotten there. But it didn't sound as if they'd just ask anyone who was leaving to speak up and (maybe) join Eddy. Instead they were going to ask everyone? Oh well, it gave him some more time to think things through.
He really wanted Patti to have a say in things, but even if she wrote up a proposal, there was a chance that not enough people would go for it. So in order to increase the odds of getting what he wanted, Ben figured that he had better write a proposal of his own. It would also be a good way to get his view out to everyone, no matter who would end up as the leader.>>GM Everyone pulled up a chair or sat on the floor. Marie instructed some young guys to pull over a large whiteboard for their use later. Seth stood, and posed the question. People went around the circle, giving their answers.Seth- "Are you going to stay here, or go with Eddy?"
Thierry-
"Stay, it is the only thing that makes sense."
Sharma-
"I go! Dish is buersheet. Bee can dribe troo dose tings bery easy, why shtay larked up in dish desh trop, bit a million zarmbies artshide?"
Thierry- "Sharma! No! What are you thinking? Do you understand--" Sharma- "I arm not shtupard. Deesh zarmbies are shlow. I habe to go, Erdy ish right."
Columbo-
"I stay! Are you fuckin' crazy man?! Sharma, you are an idiot!"
Floretta-
"Stay... Jaylyn needs somebody."
Chantelle + Zoe-
"Stay, of course! Zoe too." (Zoe nods)
Jaclyn-
"I'm going! You can't stop me. I can make it on my own."
Stevie- "Are you nuts! You can't!" Jaclyn- "You just think I can't because I'm a woman! You don't say anything about these men leaving!" Stevie- "Well...!! Somebody back me up here!" Seth- "She has the right to go Stevie. " (Stevie slumped in his chair and looked miserable.)
Quentin-
"Me too, I'm leaving. I've participated in several bike-a-thons, it's not that hard."
Abdul-Rahman-
"I will stay, I don't even see why this is being posed as an option! It's suicide..."
Kerry-
"I will stay."
Daniel-
"...I'm not going out there..."
Susie-
"Stay!"
Kenny-
"Stay, all the fuckin' way."
Derek-
"Stay! People here need protection."
Bryce-
"...Stay."
Seth-
"Staying, of course."
Stevie-
"C'mon, we know there's only one sane choice right now. Stay here and outta the zombie's mouths. What? It's true..."
Marie-
"Stay."
Davin-
"Sandy and Rex need me!"
Sandy- "Aw, you worried about me?" Davin- "--Uh, sure, you too."
Peg-
"Stay, but only until we get the means to go look for our family!"
Jonah-
"Same as Peg."
Eddy-
"You know what I think."
Lilla-
"I'm staying for all these cutie-patooties! Haha... You know who you are. *wink*"
Lashonda-
"...Stay I guess."
Ione-
"I'm staying for sure!"
Volya-
"Eh, I guess I stick around."
Hector-
"I dunno. I dunno right now. I'll keep thinking."
Anna-
"Just for the moment I'll be here."
Jackson-
"I'm going wherever Anna goes, so I'm here."
Tyrone-
"Hmm... I'll stay here for now."
Luke-
"I don't want to go!! Please!"
Seth- "Calm down sir, you don't have to leave." Luke- "...Oh okay." 
Basil-
"Mmm yes I must stay here to comfort those in need."
Sonya-
"I stay here."
Sandy-
"Yeah I seen it out there. I'm staying."
Kaito-
"I will stay with Sandy and Sonya."
Sarah-
"I'll go where Nat goes, but if he lets me pick, I'm staying."
>>NAT "I-I don't want to go out there again." >>MICAH
Micah-
"It's okay I guess, what is with you and the cougars?"
Micah followed Alex to gather with the rest of the residents
Disrespectful? Maybe but also adequate. Micah didn't say anymore, Alex was pretty naive. Micah had a sense of deja vu as the coversation went around, hadn't they just had this conversation this morning?
At least the numbers would drop again, nobody he knew were leaving so it didn't bother him. In the end there was equal chance in everything, who knew what was going to happen? At the moment this place did seem like the best shot.
When it came to his turn, Micah sighed."I'm staying until it isn't safe to stay. There really isn't any other fucking choice is there?" >>ALEX
Alex-
"I don't know what you mean," Alex told Micah. "And cougars is a disrespectful word."
Alex surveyed the group as they said their plans. He didn't think anybody stood a chance outside 403 without backup. The bald man was right about group dynamics - they may be slow, but there were lots of undead. The Tortoise and the Hare fable came to mind. All it took was a little nap for the slow and steady to gain an advantage. And Alex wasn't even considering demons, ghosts, and whatever else lurked between the zombies."I’m staying," Alex called out. "And you guys who wanta leave better travel together. Please. If you got families who need you, stay alive for them."
He wondered if any clergymen resided among the group. Nobody wore a clerical collar or garb, unfortunately, but perhaps Alex was overlooking someone. Maybe he'd ask, once the proposals were read.
>>DOCTOR VICTOR The good doctor turned a small penny over his knuckles absently. Counting the number of people staying was causing more anxiety to well up inside him. Retracting his lips, he spoke in a calm voice. "I'm staying. I don't think any more running is going to solve anything. Certainly cant outrun the ones who float or cause immobility with their looks. I suppose it is human nature to pick fight or flight. I'm just sick of running. "We stand a better chance in a localized area where we can learn what is truly going on. Simply because there is no electricity or even possible government assistance does not mean science and rational thinking have died out as well. We all can contribute to ending this problem; anyone who runs is only going to add to the cause. "We are not primitive beasts simply because society has fallen. I was reminded awhile ago by someone that we are all human beings. Let's start acting like them instead of succumbing to our antediluvian fears." >>GM
Seth-
"Okay then, so looks like the people who are planning to leave are Jaclyn, Sharma, Eddy and you there, still thinking it over?"
Hector-
"I guess I'll stay for right now. I don't know..."
Eddy-
"You two, let's go talk."
Some pleading looks were cast to the vacating party, but they were for naught. The three left the room to discuss the future.
Seth-
"Well then, the rest of us plan to stick together. Some want to have an official leader, so we're going to do a vote. People who want to run have created a 'proposal', and we'll present them to you with no names attached. Marie will read the proposals, and after she's finished there will be a brief group discussion. Feel free to bring up the merits or problems. After they've all been read, write your name and your vote on a slip of paper and hand them to Zoe."
Zoe stoically held up an empty ice bucket.
Derek -
"That's crap! People should get to know who they're voting for!"
Seth shrugged and glanced to Abdul.
Abdul-Rahman-
"It is the only way, we must do this."
Seth-
Well let's go ahead then... Marie?
Seth took a seat, and Marie hobbled over with some assistance. She stood in front of the whiteboard and pulled a folded piece of paper out of her pocket.
Marie-
"Ahem. Prop 1:
'We need order. It is obvious, when one reflects, that when the leadership is unclear, all suffer. When two ideas for action are presented, knowing who to follow saves times, time that can save lives.
We need a military style commander, to use strategy and leadership to shepherd us through these dark times. It is important to create and enforce laws, without law people become unruly and dangerous. Humans are possibly the biggest threat to us all, and this danger should not be overlooked. Once the building has been properly secured, I propose we expand, taking the fight to our enemy."
Derek-
"Just fyi-- That's not mine."
Marie-
"Let's refrain from speculation, thank you. Comments on this proposal?"
Anna-
"To quote Jack Black, that's major fascist crap."
Thierry-
"I may agree with your sentiment, but we should be respectful so as to not shame anyone for voting their conscience. It's the only fair thing to do."
Anna-
"Meh."
Marie-
"We don't want to out the person who wrote this, obviously, but does anyone want to speak out in favor of this proposal?"
Davin-
"Seems to address an issue that needs addressing and I can imagine others will fall short on. Sometimes law enforcement is needed. People may balk at that, but imagine what your life would have been like if criminals could roam the streets with no fear of police. Not sure I'll vote for it, but it's a reasonable start.
To improve on it, I'd say it could use some mention of how the 'laws which must be created' would be written not to impinge on personal liberty overmuch."
>>ALEX Alex raised his hand after Davin said his piece and asked, "What does this person mean by enemy? How are we supposed to fight demons?"
Davin-
"That's also a bit weird. Hard to imagine waging war against... whatever the hell's going on out there."
Stevie-
"Haha, funny you should ask, kid. If by demons you mean the possessed people, we beat one of those. It ain't easy, but we didn't even need guns to do it."
>>MICAH Micah put his own hand up after Alex had his answer. "Aren't you suggesting we're the fucking enemy there, so we should kill ourselves? How the fuck does that work?"
Davin-
"Naw, in the proposal the writer says humans are possibly the greatest threat to us, but I think you can safely infer that by 'enemy' this person is talking about the undead. At least, I hope so."
Anna-
"Defeat all humans! The greatest threat. It's a proposal from a sleeper zombie."
Zoe-
"Two more swears. *sigh*"
>>GM
LaShonda-
"Y'all are bein' pretty fuckin' ridiculous. It's a reasonable proposal. You're makin' it sound like Mein Kampf."
Zoe-
"The swears just keep on comin'..."
Basil-
"A reasonable proposal you say? I can't wait to hear the one that paraphrases 'A Modest Proposal,' haha."
"Seriously folks, nobody's talking about throwing commies out the window here. The 'enemy' obviously refers to any force that tries to hurt us. Zombies, ghosts, mad-dog rapists, whatever." She paused before finishing her thought. "Not saying I agree with the idea of going on the offensive, but let's give the proposal a fair consideration on its face value, not whatever personal connotations we draw from it."
Tyrone-
"Hi Patti. Y' get some of this grub?"
>>GM
Marie-
"Thank you Prop 1 writer. Proposal 2...
"If I was the leader, I'd make sure we had law and order. Like a line in the sand, and across this line, you do not cross. 'Cause if we're in here for a long time, there's gonna be law-breaking, and you know what we need. We gotta come up with a list of rules, and everybody's on the same page. So we can find any bad guys, and they'll KNOW they already screwed up because it's right there on the rules! We'll know what the punishment is, and who's gonna carry it out.
Everybody gets an equal share too, and does the same amount of work. No slacking off from lazy people and no eating all of our food if you're fat. We work together as a team and know what to do, and what not to do. There's the line-- don't cross it."
So, comments? Concerns?"
Anna-
"Oh goody. More fascism, only this time with an amusing dash of stupid. Let's-"
Thierry-
"Please stop doing that madam."
Anna-
"Fine." 
Volya-
"Sounds smart to me."
Columbo-
"...And the lady's case is made. NEXT! (quiet grumbling about 'eediots')"
>>ALEX
Alex frowned when he caught wind of poor Zoe's comments. He raised his hand. "Hey, sorry to interrupt, but I propose we stop cursing in front of children."
Seth-
"Yeah, let's try to keep it civil, please."
>>PATTI "You need to breach that topic carefully or people freak out. You gotta find the balance between stern and mission-oriented and democratic and approachable. I hate leading people. Nobody wants to take orders or follow directions, then when everything goes to hell, you're the one that gets strung up." "Let's head down." >>GM
Thierry-
"Well, honestly, it isn't really covering some of the key issues. Punishment for misdeeds may be important, but it certainly is not the only issue at stake. The greatest cause of strife is poverty. If one had his or her needs met, he or she should not have much cause to commit crime. The greater issue at hand is that of safety, and simple needs like food and shelter."
Kenny-
"That's deep shit man, that's what I believe."
Zoe-
"*sigh*"
Bryce-
"I know kid. He's a salesman, not exactly the second coming of Socrates."
Kenny-
"wut"
Chantelle-
"Bryce, is this you being balanced?"
Bryce-
"Like a human fly."
>>GM
Marie-
"Thank you Prop 2 writer. Now, Prop 3...
We work together to help each other out, and help rescue others. Everyone works to their ability and we make this building a safe haven. People who are sick, injured or disabled will be cared for. We will come up with a fair way to share labor, to make things as simple as possible. Those that can, will go out to find supplies and look for people in trouble, and hopefully find our loved ones.
Our ultimate goal is to find the cause of this disaster and how we can fix it. Until then we try to bring safety and peace to our city. As a leader I would make decisions with the help of a council, but all decisions are a group effort whenever possible. If there is conflict, we deal with it on a case by case basis. Anyone is free to leave at any time, for any reason. We have to stand together as humans with compassion and understanding."
Comments?"
Sonya-
"That sounds good, but I don't understand every word..."
Sarah-
"It is good, Sonya!"
Columbo-
"Way to make informed decisions, ma'am, just listen to the tone of the words, gentle and fluffy like a kitten's fluffy ass. This is for shit! Why don't we listen to more proposals? NEXT!"
Thierry-
"Uh, not yet Columbo. I say it sounds very good, but one thing that seems a bit odd is using ambiguous terms for the threat. I mean, someone has taken credit for the attack. I shy away from speaking in militaristic terms, but the 'disaster' isn't going to be 'fixed' so much as an enemy is going to be defeated."
Derek-
"I don't know about all that public defender talk, but it's obvious this guy is a wuss that won't call a war a war. And people always start out talking about helping the disabled, but then it turns into handouts for the lazy faster than you can say "welfare check please!" Teach a man to fish already."
Thierry-
"Still, I find those most worried about the 'lazy' taking advantage tend to carelessly harm the vulnerable. This is the first proposal to account for the reality of people with differing needs."
Stevie-
"And the first proposal to not be cribbed from the Axis Powers!"
Anna-
*bit back a smirk*
>>PATTI "That all sounds reasonable, except the part about 'rescuing others.'" Patti used quotey fingers here. "If someone comes and asks for help, yeah, we should do that, but we shouldn't endanger ourselves needlessly running around this hellhole looking for people that may or may not even want our assistance."
Stevie-
Hey, anyone who doesn't wanna risk their ass can stay at home, that's fine. But I'm gonna try to help people. If they don't want help, fine, but I'm gonna let 'em tell me that to my face.
Daniel-
(seemed perturbed by the sound of Stevie's voice)
Peg-
"This is also the first to mention looking for family. That's a big deal to me. I'm not staying if I don't have any hope of looking for my family."
Jonah-
(Nods in agreement.)
Tyrone-
(whispered to Patti) "Sounds smart to me, ma'am."
>>ALEX By the way Alex's eyes seemed to shine with admiration, it was clear that he wanted to support the third plan, no matter who wrote it. He bristled when Derek called the guy a "wuss" and started bashing "handouts". Of course, Alex felt compelled to speak up (when doesn’t he?). In a tone that was only slightly holier-than-thou, he said, "Sir, this person doesn't sound like a wuss to me. Sounds like somebody who isn't a selfish coward, actually. You want to call this a war? Call it a war against evil. We won't win anything without compassion.” Actually, his tone was VERY holier-than-thou.>>DOCTOR VICTOR "Out of all the proposals I have heard, I truly appreciate this last one. Equal work is important and working for our strengths is a must. I think its the only one that actually addresses ENDING this plight, so why aren't we choosing this one? Hmm? "I also think the weight of people wanting to find loved ones should be weighed by the group. No one should be held down, but at the same time, no one should be volun-told to go and rescue people. Scouting parties will be best. Communication is a must. But there comes a time when reality must be accepted; unless we figure out WHY this is happening and WHAT is causing it to spread, there is no real reason to 'rescue' people from one situation into another, albeit slightly less, dangerous one." >>GM
Marie-
"Good points everyone, and thank you Prop 3 writer. Now, Prop 4...
"I was in FBLA and DECA, and everyone says I'm likable and a good leader. Under my sound leadership, we can all get along and prosper. I'll use our synergy to bring together those who don't see the ways we do. Eye to eye. When we master ourselves, then we can master anything."
That one is nice because it is short. Comments?"
>>MICAH "Uh huh, in English please? Sounds like a Star Trek nerd with a business degree" >>DOCTOR VICTOR "I'm a doctor. I went through years of medical training. I know damned well that doesn't make me a leader. Future Business League of America. Nice! I was in the boy scouts, but they accept everyone. We should have put down personal neurosis on these things. It sounds like a megalomaniac to me." The doctor leaned back, glancing at Sarah. "Trust me. I'd know." >>GM
Sonya-
"I don't understand this..."
Kenny-
"If high school clubs are what counts, I'd rather have a football player, or better yet, what's that sport with the sticks?"
Seth-
"Base...ball?"
Kenny-
"No no, the really big sticks with the little net thing on them? Not basketball, smart asses. Oh never mind, the analogy is ruined now."
Bryce-
"I'm not sure if it ever counted as an analogy, or that it was ever not ruined..."
>>DOCTOR VICTOR
"Lacrosse. It's a nativ- Bah, it's a violent game."
Kenny-
"YEAH! That's it. Oh man, that was gonna bother me all night. Thanks man."
Bryce-
"What kind of violence happens in lacrosse? Do butterflies accidentally get netted?"
>>ALEX Alex cleared his throat and looked pointedly at Doctor Victor, with a slight smile. "It's a what?" >>GM
Marie-
"Well then. Thank you Prop 4 writer. Now, Prop 5... This one is a bit long but it's got some good ideas.
"Unless we get killed, we will eventually run out of food and supplies. So we will have to find resources and bring them here, or prepare to leave for a destination where we can grow our own food and live off the land. In order to leave we would have to become very good at killing lots of zombies.
Short term I think we should get settled and see what we can do about every little thing that has now become a serious issue. Long term I think that we should prepare to leave this place, or somehow make our life here sustainable. But as far as I know, even the lowest vermin only thrives in the city because the city produces waste, and without the vast amount of food that used to come in, there won't be a lot of waste left for the rats, the seagulls and other animals we could catch for food. Not unless they eat dead zombies, that is. And I'm not sure that it would be healthy for us to indirectly eat zombies. And urban farming on the roof doesn't seem like something that could feed this many people. Perhaps we'd stand a chance if we could have free energy by chaining zombies to treadmills, but considering the amount of zombies and treadmills we'd need, I don't see that as a solution for anything major, like a dwindling food supply.
As for leadership, no one has all the answers, and even someone who has the best answers might not be the best leader. I don't want to live in someone else's petty dictatorship, and I don't believe in making rules before they are needed. And while we can't have a direct democracy vote on every little thing, we should be able to have someone list every decision that is made, put those decisions on a piece of paper here in the community center, and if a lot of people disagree with something, call for a discussion and a vote on that issue. And if the vote is really close, that might call for a compromise, if possible. I hope that we'll be able to focus on all the things we agree on, instead of focusing on our differences."
I'm not sure if that person is just offering a suggestion for how things should be, or actually does want to be leader. I suppose we'll let her or him explain themselves if they win.
Comments?"
>>GM Seth- "This person seems really smart. Like you Marie, I'm not sure if they want to be leader or just have a lot of ideas. I like that they're thinking about how we're gonna get energy, and what happens when food runs out. Whoever it is, I think this person should be on some kind of council at least. Dunno how they'd be as leader but yeah, real smart." >>DOCTOR VICTOR The good doctor gave Alex a sideways glance and nodded slowly. "Remind me to tell you the story of the term Apache one night, Alex." Dr. Victor let out a guffaw at Marie's latest proposal. "I swear, I did NOT put that proposal forward. But, if the person would show themselves, I'd give them a hug. Or slap them. Or both." >>GM
Kaito-
"I like this one... I think it proposes a secretary rather than a president, and that seems good."
Sandy-
"I disagree with that, but whoever wrote this... I think she'd be a good secretary for the president."
Kenny-
"At least the zombies on treadmills thing is hella funny."
Bryce-
"True that. I wonder who wrote this one?"
>>GM
Marie-
"Thank you Prop 5 writer. Now, Prop 6.
"If we want to survive this insanity, we need to stick together, carry our own weight, and help each other out. If we're all running around, doing our own things, then nobody is watching anyone else's back. That needs to stop. I know a lot of us don't take well to authority, but anarchy is weakness when you have a strong adversary. This is not a time to be alone. We all need to respect each other's boundaries and positions, even if we don't agree with them.
I'm certainly not advocating autocratic rule, in fact, if I had the misfortune of being elected I would form a committee of qualified advisors to help form the best ideas that optimally meet the needs of the community.
As for long term plans, I honestly believe that staying here is a very bad idea. Food and water will only last so long and there's no telling how quickly this city will become overrun. We're approaching the driest part of the year here and we only have so much rooftop to gather water from.No, long term, we need to think strongly about getting as far from major cities as possible. We need to appropriate supplies that are vital to survival and get out of Dodge.
In the meantime, I would agree with staying here for a few days, maybe even a week or two, but we need to NOT get comfortable. This building should only be a temporary position to gather our strength and prepare for a potentially long trip.
While we're here, we need to fortify the lobby as much as possible, secure the windows and roof as best we can, and set up a rotating guard shift. We should keep ourselves on one or two floors, tops, so we can quickly warn everyone in case of an emergency. Further details can be discussed at a later time."
This person expresses a lack of desire to win, so I will be curious what will happen if he or she does. How intriguing.
Comments?"
>>GM
Thierry-
"This is good because while this person is clearly in the grip of mortal panic, it reminds us to take the threat seriously. Actually, I suspect this is from one of our new arrivals, because we went through some of the specifics - food water and so on - and figured that we can indeed stay here for a long time if necessary. Further, we determined that any trek out of the city now would certainly cost more lives than staying. I dearly hope my friend Sharma reconsiders, but I can understand wanting to reach your family in a time like this. Well, that is my thought on the matter."
Davin-
"Who is this 'we' that determined all that, sir?"
Thierry-
"Chantelle, Marie, Seth, Stevie, and myself... Our combination of knowledge in disparate fields allowed us to determine that we can provide water and basic nourishment, though unappetizing, to far more people than we currently have. Further, by gradually annexing nearby buildings, we can get even more resources, and that the zombie population will certainly dwindle dramatically with time. You can look at the notes yourself, though they're a bit rough at present. We'll formalize the report and put it on the wall in a little while."
Bryce-
"Wow. You cats have been busy."
>>GM
Seth-
"Some ideas I like out of this are that we should stick together, and that we should consider how long we want to stay. I think we should stay until we have this place as secure as it can be, so people can use this as a fort-- We don't know when help will arrive, or if it ever is going to arrive. However, we should plan on moving in the future, when it is safe. Who knows how long that will be though.
It will be good to secure nearby buildings as soon as we can, in case we ever do need to evacuate."
>>GM
Marie-
"Returning for the moment to the proposal, if we can, does anyone want to promote it or critique it?"
Davin-
"With respect, I don't think your 'dwindling zombies' scenario accounts for the source of the bastards - there are other things out there killing people, and any security plan needs to account for that. As far as I know, there is no way to defeat a ghost. All you can do is run. What happens when those get in here? I'm not ready to run, but it might be a good idea at the end of it all."
Thierry-
"A vote in favor?"
Davin-
"Maybe. I'm thinking about it."
>>ALEX "Uh, about those other things ... you guys said you defeated a possessed person. How? When we met one of those, she flung me and Dr. Victor across the room like we weighed nothing. And that was after freezing us." He glanced down. Should he tell them about the voices he heard, and how close he'd been to giving in and maybe becoming possessed himself? It might be important, but he didn't want to be locked up and treated like a threat. "Whoever we choose, I want to talk to the president about something, later." >>GM Seth- "Yeah, we can tell you more later. It took several of us, but we were able to interrogate it a little bit. It pretended to be a normal woman for a while, but it went crazy and we... well... yeah, more later." >>GM
Marie-
"Sounds like we're done with that one. Thank you Prop 6 writer. Now, Prop 7.
"I believe we will be best served not by a single leader. The chances of corruption would be too great, even in the best of circumstances and strongest of characters; favoritism would be a greater burden in this climate. If two persons of relative sound mind and disposition would take the reigns, things could be just as solid as if with one leader. As long as the group as a whole is maintained a priority, there will be little room for debate in terms of actions.
If two people stepped up, it would be best. Prioritizing actions would be able to be bounced off another individual; rational thinking would prevail. People would be able to feel more secure with having two options to air their grievances or bring issues to. This proposal is not written by a person who desires to become a leader. As such, it is left open, and I will not name the names of the two prospective leaders; but this proposal does have specific people in mind; one male and one female.
Charismatic and driven with a good head. Cool under pressure, controlled, and healthy.
Please make this sound better than it is."
Oh. I don't think I was supposed to-- Sorry. Anyway, comments?"
>>GM
Abdul-
"Again with the proposals from those not seeking leadership. This vote will be more complicated than code spaghetti and accomplish nothing."
Stevie-
"Fu-fff... Fudge it, it's what we got."
Zoe-
"Thank you!"
Marie-
"Comments? Anyone like to promote this one?"
Bryce-
"Are there really demons and zombies and stuff out there?"
Susie-
"Better believe it, sleeping beauty!"
Bryce-
"Damn that's weird. Hey, they should get a vote."
Chantelle-
"Less balance for you next time, young man."
Ione-
"Well since everyone thought mine was a laugh riot, I'll demonstrate my rhetorical skills promoting this one. I think it's the first to propose a streamlined compromise between dictatorship and anarchy, and the person who wrote it is obviously very smart, and based on that I think their appointments to those leadership positions will be well-considered and worthy."
Thierry-
"Well said, but I believe the truth is that it doesn't clearly differentiate where the power of this oligarchy ends and the ability of the disempowered to 'air grievances' or have freedom begins."
>>BEN "Having more than one leader sounds like a good idea to me," Ben said. "Unless those leaders have strong opinions on how to run things, and are unwilling to compromise when their opinions pull them in different directions."
Thierry-
"Another good point about that one, thank you."
>>ALEX Alex knew he shouldn't ask, but he was curious. To the intelligent young woman (Ione), he said, "Laugh riot? Which one? I thought they were all pretty good."
IYW-
"Aww, thank you! That's really nice. I said-"
Marie-
"No speculating please! Let's obey the few rules we have at the moment, OK?"
Ione-
"What's your name? I'm Ione." 
"I'm Alex, Miss." He smiled back; it was his winning smile, the one with the dimples. "You can tell me after the vote." >>GM
Marie-
"Ahem! Thank you writer of Prop 7, let's move on to our final proposal, Prop 8. Ah good, this one seems short.
"No more shit like this. Everyone does the thing that makes sense. It is always obvious. This is stupid. People in a group are stupid. You are stupid.
Listen to me! Death is a rotten gray man with a hard-on for you. I say, don't show him our pussy.
Thank you."
...Comments? Concerns?"
>>GM
Columbo-
"This guy sounds like a sharpshooter! He cuts right through the sheet, amirite? Yeah..."
He nods to the crowd, who stare at him blankly.>>ALEX
Alex gaped stupidly. Death had a raging WHAT? Alex made the sign of the cross on his chest and glared at the odd little man. He may have misinterpreted the glare.
Columbo- (shooting Alex the finger guns)
"Yeah..."
>>BEN
Ben-
"Yeeeaaah, I think the point of electing a leader is to counteract the fact that people in a group are stupid. Right?"
Ben wasn't surprised that the man received no support, but he kind of had a point. So far there had been few disagreements, because indeed, it had been pretty obvious what to do in most cases. But that would surely change once people got the time to sit around and disagree with each other. Idle hands are the Devil's playthings, and that went for idle minds as well.
Sonya- (quietly to Ben)
"Ben, no... He's strange man."
>>MICAH
He'd almost been nodding off, when the last proposal was read out.
Micah broke out laughing, tears springing to his eyes. If the whole situation wasn't so fucking serious, he would have given the man his vote.
He wiped a tear from his eye and gave the odd man a thumbs up and a smirk."Best proposal of the lot mate!"
Bryce-
"It does address the heretofore neglected issue of the way in which we display our collective vagina. I'm in."
>>NAT Nat frowned a little at the last proposal, although he kept his thoughts to himself. A few of the proposals seemed good to him, but he wasn't sure which he would vote for in the end - and what if there was still another, more appealing one to come? Nat planned to keep quiet until all of the proposals were voiced. Sarah- "Aw, it's OK, Nat... I think that's the last of it." Sandy- (quietly to Sarah)"I hope we don't have to live with that guy for long..." >>DOCTOR VICTOR The good doctor snickered, shaking his head. "And Sarah, I didn't make that one either."
Sonya- (continued to ignore Doc Vic...)
Davin- (laughing)
"Haha, hey doc. Which one did you write? The treadmill zombie one?"
Marie-
"No speculation please!"
>>GM
Marie-
"Well that was great fun everyone. Let's get to the voting. Zoe will pass around slips of paper, please write your name and which prop you're voting for. No discussion please, just give the slips to Zoe."
Susie-
"Why do we have to have our names on our votes? That makes me uncomfortable..."
Marie-
"We don't want anyone crying voter fraud. Let's do this people."
Marie wrote on the board the prop numbers and a short reminder of what the prop was. PROP 1 - Military style commander PROP 2 - Line in the sand PROP 3 - Rescue & Recovery - help others PROP 4 - Synergy PROP 5 - Zombies on treadmills PROP 6 - Get out of Dodge PROP 7 - Dual leaders PROP 8 - Death has a hard-on PLAYERS! Please PM me your vote!>>DOCTOR VICTOR The good doctor scribbled quickly upon his scrap of paper. His eyes scanned the room and then back toward Marie and the whiteboard. He furiously scribbled again over his paper. The pen began to tap on the corner of Dr. Victor's face. He grumbled and crossed out the last response and stared again at the whiteboard. He flashed Micah a wink and raised his eyebrows twice. One last cross out motion and the good doctor put his final response down before handing it to Zoe and her bucket. His words were calm and slightly hoity. A scales smile slithered on his lips as he spoke. "Not to be a nay-sayer but I want people to realize those who put forth propositions for leader have all been voted out as a non-vote. It's like zero population growth. This, then, in that respect, is left for a vote by people who have. I desire to become leaders. Just tossing that out there. Unless the arguments made have swayed those with heavy opinions, it truly is left to whoever made the best case in swaying the masses." >>GM Kenny- "Wut?" Thierry- "Perhaps he means to say that some that have proposed leaders that are not themselves have split the vote? Some clarification would be helpful." >>NAT Nat took a slip of paper and a pen, staring up at the board for a moment in consideration. He desperately wanted to ask Sarah what she thought, but they had been told not to discuss their vote. Finally, he scribbled his name and a vote on the paper, and passed it back to the little girl. He shied away from the doctor on his way back to Sarah - the man seemed to be gibbering again. "What, um, what do you think?" He murmured the question low to Sarah, after both of their votes had been cast. Sarah stood out on the patio, sipping on a cup of passionfruit juice and looking out at the city.
Sarah-
"Phew, I hope it all works out... I think these people seem really reasonable though, so I feel hopeful. How about you?"
>>THE DOCTOR The doctor nodded towards the shaved head mustachio man. "Sort of. It's more like saying the writer of prop one will cancel out the vote for the writer of prop two and so on and so forth."
Thierry-
"I see. Haha, though I suppose if they do not vote for themselves, they may regret a loss by one vote!"
>>ALEX After casting his vote for the obvious choice (or so Alex believed), he sought out Chantelle and asked her if she had a piece of birthday cake lying around. "It's for that shy blonde guy, Nat. He's turning 23 tomorrow, and it'd be pretty sad if nobody did anything."
Chantelle-
"Oh my gosh! That's so sad! You're such a sweet friend. Aww... I'll totally bake him something today, and we can put it in the freezer until tomorrow! Is he vegan or any other diet restrictions? Ooh maybe a carrot cake..."
"Thanks, Miss. I saw him eating animal stuff earlier, so he's not a vegan, that's for sure. Carrot cake will be perfect. Aw, man, carrots are the best food in the world, aren't they?" Alex really did love carrots.
Chantelle-
"Oh I know! They're so good for you! I once ate so many red peppers and carrots that my palms turned orange, haha. Not even joking! You should talk to Seth when you can, we thought about having a party to get to know each other after we get some work done. Maybe it could double as a birthday party!"
>>MICAH Micah couldn't remember the crux of most of the proposals, except that the first two had been nuts.The last was hilarious but unfortunatley unsound. He raised his eyebrow back at the doctor. He wrote his choice on a piece of paper after studying the whiteboard. He stuck his tongue out at the little girl when he gave her his vote, a gesture she returned with an air of formality, like a salute.He moved to the patio grabbing some orange juice and wandered over to where Alex was chatting to the hipster chef. At least she was in his age group, it was a start. Micah tried not to look hurt when he overheard the conversation. "Party sounds good, is there any booze?"
Chantelle-
"That's a weird issue... When we were rounding up all the food to sort it into perishables and such, we also gathered all the alcohol together. There's enough to celebrate a little, when we throw a party, I think, but... It could also be used as medicine, so we're trying to figure out how we should ration it. Maybe the doctor has an opinion."
>>ALEX Alex laughed at Micah's booze comment. "If you can find some, sure. C'mon closer." He lowered his voice. "It's gotta be a surprise, okay? Nat's birthday is tomorrow. Maybe we can rustle up some board games, like ... what's it called? Ya Got Me? No, that's not it ... OH. Sorry. Or Monopoly. Hey, Micah, who are you going to room with, after all?" >>BEN "It would've been nice if we could have been able to rank each proposal rather than split the votes on similar proposals," Ben said while thinking about how to vote. "That way it would've been easier to vote for a general idea rather than a specific proposal. But I guess it's too late for that now?"
Seth-
"Yeah I dunno why we didn't just do a raise of hands... *sigh*"
>>DOCTOR VICTOR  The doctor grinned at Davin. "It's not my place to speculate on such obvious genius and ingenuity."
Davin-
"That's great, man. Zombies on treadmills. Ha.
There was a lot of good thinking in that one. It'll be interesting to keep addressing those challenges and coming up with novel solutions. For example, to what extent do we need electricity now? Fire isn't very efficient as a light source, but it's probably best for us to be sleeping at night anyway...
Hell, I wonder if ghosts can see in the dark. Or zombies. Or how any of that shit is possible at all.
Man, one minute I'm laughing and the next...."
>>MICAH "Ummm, No fucking idea. Why? Who are you bunking with? "Board games though Alex, really? What about we all sit in a fucking ring and sing fucking hymns while we're at it, or bible charades?"
Chantelle-
"I admit, I've never met an Australian before. Is this what Kylie Minogue talks like when she's off camera?"
"How the fuck would I know? Besides she's pretty much a pom." >>GM
Marie-
"Okay, I believe that's all of the votes. Well.. wait, Hector, are you going to vote?"
Hector-
"No... I don't know if I feel comfortable staying here so why bother..."
Marie-
"Well, alright. Now just to ensure complete transparancy, we will write on the board every vote, and you can confirm that you are all marked down correctly."
Susie-
"What! Our names are going up there?"
Marie-
"Yes, no recriminations now... this is just to make sure no one complains later about fraud."
PROP 1 - Military style commander Susie Lashonda Lilla Abdul-Rahman 4 VOTESPROP 2 - Line in the sand Volya Derek 2 VOTESPROP 3 - Rescue & Recovery - help others Sonya Sarah Anna Jackson Basil Davin Thierry Chantelle Kerry Bryce Seth Stevie Peg Jonah Alex Nat 16 VOTESPROP 4 - Synergy 0 VOTESPROP 5 - Zombies on treadmills Ione Tyrone Kaito Floretta Marie 5 VOTESPROP 6 - Get out of Dodge Ben Daniel Patti 3 VOTESPROP 7 - Dual leaders Dr. Victor Micah Kenny Sandy 4 VOTESPROP 8 - Death has a hard-on Luke Columbo 2 VOTES
Marie-
"This is all correct? If so, it seems that Prop 3 is the winner."
>>GM
Jackson-
"Uh, Luke... Were you aware of what you were voting for? The 'Death has a hard-on' thing...?"
Luke-
"What? It made sense. I mean, if Death has got a hard-on, I don't know, I don't think we should show him-"
Anna-
"That's great Luke! I'm sorry you didn't win, but I'm sure everyone will take that advice to heart."
>>ALEX Before he could ask Micah what the heck was wrong with board games, Marie announced the vote results. Oh, sweet! His guy won! "Beati pacifi!" Alex exclaimed. "Well, who wrote the winner?"
Chantelle-
"Think I have a notion, haha..."
>>PATTI Patti simply stood up slowly and walked into the kitchen. As far as she could tell, the single worst option won, and by a landslide. Was she the only person here who learned the real lesson from Saving Private Ryan? Twenty people shouldn't die to save one. Fuck! Mass fucking suicide. If that's what these people wanted, that's what they were going to get. Patti wanted to scream or destroy something. Instead she just crumpled to the floor against the cold steel refrigerator and sobbed. Her fists clenched so tight that she couldn't feel her fingers. She tried to rub the tears away, but her hands wouldn't open and she just roughed herself up. She realized she was holding her breath and gasped once, letting out a vocalization that was louder than she had hoped. Before anyone could find her in there, in this condition, she jumped to her feet and jogged to the stairwell and down towards the parking garage. She didn't belong here, but she wouldn't last five minutes alone. Where could she go? What could she do? Fuck! >>DOCTOR VICTOR The doctor slowly hung his head. Defeated because of a zombie on a treadmill. Patti brushed passed him, still smelling of saline perspiration and heat. Her increased body temperature sent a shockwave through him. He gave a sharp look to Micah and hollered loudly down the stairwell. "Patti! Wait! Don't steal a perfectly good opportunity for an outburst of rage from me! Seth? A little assistance if you please?" Dr . Victor plodded after the fleeing woman. Maybe she wouldn't have been th best choice for the female leader. I wasn't planning on sweating too much today.
Tyrone-
"Oh Patti, damn!" Tyrone joined Doc Vic in chasing down Patti.
>>GM
Abdul-
"Dreadful. I mean this is foolishness. When our perimeters are breached and people are dying from a lack of decisive action, know I'll be available to set things right."
Thierry-
"If you're such a tactical genius, I hope that you will help us now. If you're not going to discuss your ideas with us because you don't feel comfortable without absolute control, I don't think it was a mistake to vote yours down. And yes, I think it's obvious which one that was."
Abdul-
"Of course I'll discuss plans with people. I'm not immoral. But the very notion of wasting time with discussion when orders would be more expedient illustrates the advantage of executive leadership."
Stevie-
"Jesus christ, It's hard not to start rippin' you a new one, but yeah. We want everyone helping, so I'll stuff it."
Marie-
"Can we get the writer of the proposition in here? I'm guessing it was Seth. Does anyone...?"
Anna-
"On the balcony."
Sarah went out and called him in, coming back in herself afterward.
Marie-
"You wrote Proposition Three, Seth?"
Seth-
"Oh, uh, yeah I did." He smiled, looking just slightly overwhelmed.
Marie-
"I know you could use some time to compose yourself, but a few people are fairly upset and could use reassurance. Is extemporaneous speaking one of your talents, or do you need a few minutes to prepare something...?"
>>PATTI Patti entered the stairwell and moved down quickly, two stairs at a time. She rubbed her face with one hand, while keeping a tight grip on the railing to support her rapid descent. >>GM Seth had been out on the patio crunching on a bag of Bugles nervously, he still held it in his hand as he came out into the community center. He had won...? Well, he should be glad, but it sure felt strange. He didn't want to be in this position, why couldn't everything just work out naturally? The room seemed to be in a fit of chaos, and it was his job to straighten it out now. Ugh. Get it together, it's just like being team captain but the team is... really... really big.. and full of strangers...
He shook himself a bit and answered Marie.Seth- "No, I can talk now." He cleared his throat, and sat down the chips, moving in front of the whiteboard to look at the results for the first time. Wow! Really, that many people? A lot of people voted for other people too though, if he thought of it that way."Hi everyone," he glanced around the room, looking for friendly eyes to look into, to calm himself."I didn't really feel that a vote like this is necessary, but thank you for voting for me anyway. I know a lot of people voted for other options, and I want you to know that I really thought there was something good about... um, a lot of things that were said. I take everyone's opinion seriously. We did so much yesterday, we kept this building safe, and we killed a terrifying and powerful creature. We learn more all the time, and I want to let you know that I truly believe we can overcome this terrible situation. Thierry mentioned that he found it strange that I didn't talk directly about the mummies, and said 'fix' the problem instead of defeating an enemy. I said that because while I want to defeat anyone who wants to hurt us, I don't know if that will be the way to put the world right again. The dead get up and attack, if we kill the mummies, will that fix that problem too? Will ghosts stop being born? I don't know. We will find out, and I know we can do it together! We're going to figure out how to make this building safe, healthy and comfortable for everyone. We found a doctor this morning, and we're going to set up a clinic. We're going to work to find different power sources, and ways of getting food and water. We have enough food in this building to last us at least a week, and we have every tub and sink full of clean water, as well as water collection on the roof. Today you will get a room to share with whoever you choose, so I hope things can begin to feel as close to comfortable as is possible all things considered. We have a lot of work today, and I think we should get to it. We can talk more about plans for the future, but we should work while it's still light outside. I'll ask some of you to form a council with me, and we'll have another meeting tonight. I can answer some questions, but let's not spend too long right now, please." >>GM Tyrone and Doc Vic entered the stairwell pretty quickly, both being fit enough for action. The were only less than twenty feet behind and calling.
Tyrone-
"Damn girl! Hold on! Don't do nothin' crazy now!"
>>PATTI Patti stopped abruptly, wiping away the last tear before spinning around. "Nothing crazy?! Nothing crazy?!! What the fuck just happened up there? THAT was fucking crazy! Running around the city, looking for fucking trouble?! These people don't have a fucking lick of sense between the lot of em'!" She turned to continue downstairs, but spun back around almost immediately, putting Tyrone back on his heels. "What the fuck am I supposed to do? What God-damned choice do I fucking have? Don't waste your time coming up with some bullshit answer, because there isn't one. I'm fucked. We're all fucked. Democracy in fucking action, isn't it fucking brilliant?!" "I killed two men today. Two healthy, God-damned men. D'you think that made me happy? D'you think that's what I wanted to fucking do? Of-fucking-course not! I did it, because I thought I could keep some of these people safe, I thought it was my God-damned obligation!" "You know what? It isn't! It fucking isn't. But now I have no choice. I can run off with a couple of fucking whack-a-doodles who want to save their families, or I can stay here with the fucking Salvation Army!" "This place is a God-damned death trap. For every person we save, we're gonna lose two or three or four. We'll all get our happy asses killed before we can starve. I guess that solves that problem." "Fuck this shit. Go back to the drum circle, they could use a head with a little common sense in it." Patti continued down the stairs, a little slower after letting off some steam. >>GM Marie gestured for Seth to help her up, which he did, and she assumed the floor.
Marie-
"The first order of business is to get our people back in the bottom of the north stair so they can answer the door for survivors. Who is up?"
Kenny-
"Me and ... Bryce? How about it, sleeping beauty?"
Bryce-
"Haha. Why me?"
Kenny-
"I wanna find out what you were on last night, haha."
Bryce-
"Hell, why not?"
Marie nodded and they took one of the radios, heading downstairs. A "lowbatt" tone sounded from it.
Marie-
"Next the roof top guy, and if someone can figure out a way to charge these radios, or a low-tech way to communicate from the roof to the bottom of the north stair, we're going to need it quick."
Sonya-
"I can do! Show me the charger, please."
Stevie-
"That's great, baby! They're over here..." (He showed her to an area near the whiteboard that was piled with boxes and miscellaneous items, and they took the charger stands aside to examine.)
Marie was reading from her planner, getting volunteers for a great number of tasks to help with survival and setting the place up for zompocalypse-styled living. Eventually she came to an item of personal interest to Davin and Ben.
Marie-
"The people who live in these apartments, let us know which apartments are yours, so we don't pillage them without your permission. We need to gather any supplies we can from apartments, like we already did by filling your tubs with water and raiding your kitchens, and we don't want to violate your privacy any worse than we already have. By the way, sorry about that."
Davin-
"I didn't even notice the tub. But yeah, I feel a little weird about my place being raided."
Marie-
"Again, sorry, and from here on if anyone wants to keep their room to their self, I understand. But you will need a roommate, in case of emergencies. Again, we can't force you, but consider it before we go to sleep tonight.
Now who lives here?"
Davin, Susie, Thierry, Derek, Daniel, and little Zoe came forward. Stevie waved a hand to indicate he was in, but kept working with Sonya on the chargers.
And on things went...>>DOCTOR VICTOR The good doctor folded his arms across his chest, shaking his head from side to side. He called after Patti from the top of the stairwell. "The Salvation Army was my line, thank you very much. As for what it is worth, I agree with your sentiments 150%. If there is any chance of getting out of this city, we sure as hell cannot do it while we are raging, now can we? I think you know you did what had to be done with whatever happened earlier; there is no other option. He plodded down two steps, leaning against the stair well. His arms, hands, and wrists began to engage themselves in the conversation. "You DO have a level head. I was going to nominate YOU as the co-leader. Why, do you ask, because you have the one thing that I believe will get us through this mess. You are a true survivalist. You can keep a clear head. That little part of your humanity that is in crisis now not withstanding, I value you as a strong leader." Dr. Victor, turned to go back the way he came before pausing. He called out to her one last time over his shoulder. "In any event, I doubt we are going to try and rescue anyone for the next three or four days; it will just be scavenger missions. When it all yields nothing, you can make your decision then. These next days are not going to kill anyone anymore than leaving tonight; unless you leave." Patting Tyrone on the shoulder, Dr. Victor moved to the top of the stairwell, watching Patti's course of action with a look of disinterest. The stairs were constructed such that they couldn't see her, but could hear her footsteps recede. When she was far enough away, Tyrone spoke softly.
Tyrone-
"Y'know, she wanted someone stable with th' guns, but I'm startin' t' doubt she should be trusted with a Got-damn spoon. Hiiiiiigh strung."
>>GM
Seth-
"Strong guys and gals! Over here!"
Seth waved over any burly or semi-burly sorts.
Seth-
"We gotta get the alley and the back entrance more safe. It's a skinny little thing, and the zombies mostly don't notice it, but when they do, it ain't great. There's a big dumpster out there, we push it as far as we can one way. If we gotta retreat inside a bit until it cools off, we do, and then we block the other side.
There's some cars out there, if we can bust the windows, put 'em in neutral and push, we got road blocks for the other side. People can Dukes of Hazard over the top of them, or open the door and climb through, but zombies aren't agile or smart enough to do it quick.
This'll all just be temporary, just until we can put up a fence or something else more civilized...."
So it went, and he gathered volunteers to go downstairs.PLAYERS! This is the labor part of the day, what sort of task would your character do? You could help Seth with the road blocks, start going through apartments looking for supplies with Peg, working with the food with Chantelle... Or fuck off with Bryce and who knows who else! What do you do?
Don't forget trying to find your roommates or comfort people who are flipping out...
>>ALEX Alex will volunteer to help Seth and the other burly sorts with the work outside. He'll act like a weirdo and stare at the new president as they work, as if itching to say something, but afraid to speak up.Alex, check out the back alley thread>>MICAH Micah turned back to the hipster chef after the proclamation of the winner. "Anyway, Sorry for offending thine fucking ears. I guess I can help with the food. I'm a Sous-chef, what about you?" ( He answered her question in the previous post )
"Oh I'm an apprentice chef at Cuocco. It was really hard to get into, and then I discover it's soo tiny! Too much work. Ugh.. well, now it's starting to look a lot nicer.
Yeah there's lots of work for us! We need to run around and see if we can find anything salvageable in the fridges, and toss out the rest. Remember your food safety lessons? Well... relax the rules a bit, but remember what the worst is, haha. I already stuffed the freezers, that'll keep for another day or so, then we'll start cooking meat and..."
Micah, prepare yourself for fridge cleaning duty! Feel free to eat your fill of anything spoil-imminent though! Yummy.>>DOCTOR VICTOR Dr. Victor moved back from the stairwell into the main room, only to find it seemingly drawn and quartered by teams of people. A blustering grunt preceded the good doctor's approach. He spied Marie and shook his head at her. "You know, you're a very smart woman; however, you should always heed a doctor's advice. Speaking of advice, since we have only a few more moments to spare, I have some questions I would like no one other than yourself to answer for me. What do you have planned for today? I was thinking about clearing and cleaning out the restaurant somewhere on the ground floor. Is that a suitable task? "Who wrote prop 3 anyways? I think I knew who wrote most of the others just by simple deduction. "What do you think of the woman named Iona? "Who are you rooming with?
Marie-
"Haha, well, thank you. I'll get back to these folks in a minute. Well, as you can see in my planner, last night we worked out a million things to do that will make this place more safe and healthy to live in, and now that we're done with the big vote, we're taking volunteers."
She talked to a few more people about tasks before getting back to the doctor.
Marie-
"Hm. The restaurant definitely needs attention. The most important thing, as Abdul will tell you, is coming up with sturdier fortification at the street entrances. The papering, locking the door, & piling the outdoor furniture has been 100% dissuasive to zombies so far, but we're not sure what's going to happen down the line.
So we'll get some people to help you with that, plus any preparation you need to make it a clinic.
Wow, sorry to keep you waiting about Prop 3. You got out of here fast, didn't you? It was Seth's! So President Snake made a little speech and took off to do some labor I guess right before you got back.
Ione? She got here last night, when the guys were piling furniture outside. Derek was very brave keeping zombies out of the way for that project. Anyway, she's a very energetic, fit, resilient person. She worked through the night with us. I couldn't work, of course, but stayed up in solidarity, eating caffeine pills and doing math.
Tentatively, I was thinking of taking the large empty apartment at the northwest corner of this floor, with Chantelle and Zoe, and using the living room as an office. At some point this evening, we need to have a meeting and discuss sleeping arrangements. I took some notes on these ghosts your people encountered, and I wonder that we might want to only sleep in shifts for a while, to keep an eye out for them. It's a terrible prospect and we need to work this all out, but right now we have bigger fish, as they say."
>>MICAH After conferring with the apprentice chef, whose name was apparently Chantelle. Micah made his way to a known abandoned apartment on the 5th floor. To clean out the fucking fridge like some apprentice chef. He outranked her and it annoyed him that she was in charge. Micah will half-heartedly clean out the fridges. If there is anything chocolate-like he will nick a bit. He will also look for any alcohol which he will attempt to hide in the pocket of those damn skinny jeans >>BEN When he heard that they were storing water in tubs and sinks, Ben got worried. So when he pointed out which apartment was his, he decided to voice those concerns. "Doesn't water spoil if you just leave it in an open container? Doesn't it get filled with bacteria and crap? I've heard that the grog that sailors drank back in the day was actually watered down beer, because the alcohol would prevent bacteria from growing. So if we're going to drink that water, or use it for cleaning wounds, we should probably use all the alcohol we can get to keep the water from going bad." "Or did you use plastic wrap to cover the sinks and tubs? That would also prevent the water from slowly evaporating." As for helping out, Ben figured he should first get a look at his apartment, remove his armour and store his stuff in there. He thought he might regret that later, but figured that if zombies struck, he'd still have time to go back there and prepare before they reached him. Once he was ready to go to work, he joined the people going through apartments looking for supplies.
Marie-
"We've considered the spoiling & obviously boiling the water or using a small amount of chlorine in it can help with that, but I don't think we'd thought about evaporation. Thanks for your input, again. I'll make a note of it here and see if we can come up with something."
He found his apartment as advertised - his refrigerator emptied into his freezer or elsewhere, the sinks and bathtub full. Nothing else seemed especially amiss, but there were tiny traces of blood and dirt on the carpet and tile from someone's shoes.
Afterward, it was easy to find others working on rooms for supplies. Peg was organizing it.
Peg-
"We only have one master key for this project, so to open or lock a place, find me and ask for it. Personal effects can stay put, but everything useful has to come out - hygiene, health products, bedding, clothing... We'll sort them into relevant piles in the hall and then move them upstairs to store for disbursement to those in need. Thanks a lot!"
>>GM Eddy Buck, Sharma Bari, Jaclyn Stephenson, and Quentin Pozzi came out of an empty apartment near the Comm Center. They approached Marie and the remaining people.
Eddy-
"Marie. Who won?"
Marie-
"Seth... Snake. Anyway, he's already doing some work. You'll probably see him on the way out."
Eddy-
"Just like that, huh?"
Marie-
"Of course not. Just let any of us know if you need something. I bet most people will help you automatically, but if someone gives you grief, just remind them that you're taking a big risk and they should respect that."
Sharma-
"Dank you Marrey. I horp to shee you agarn."
Marie-
"That's sweet. I really hope it's easier out there than it looks."
Jaclyn-
"Just worry about yourselves, in the heart of Zombietown."
Marie-
"Believe me, I am. Oh, I need to let you know everything we've been able to find out about the enemy, in case you run into something like a ghost..."
Marie transcribed her notes onto a paper for them, explaining things verbally as well before seeing them off.
Marie-
"Good luck, again."
Eddy-
"Same for you, like Jackie said."
Quentin-
"Anything I leave in my apartment you guys can keep. My old life seems a bit shallow now."
Marie-
"Your name is Quentin, right? I want to make sure I remember you guys well. Even if things go well for all concerned, we're not likely to see each other again."
Quentin-
"It's been real."
>>GM
On the other side, the pushers saw an amusing/disturbing sight. The zombies approached the dumpster from the other side, but then backed from it slowly, apparently not wanting to get crushed as it came towards them. They stood watching, with their blank, unfocused eyes.
Derek-
"Haha! Crushy death coming for you, you fucking pricks!" He sounded oddly desperate, like this type of activity was really beginning to wear on him, but he didn't want to admit it.
Jackson-
"Wow! This is crazy! Look at 'em go!"
>>GM
A shockingly skeletonized zombie was the first to appear in line of sight, its upper body somehow devoid of most of its flesh, its face looked like it wore a red ski mask. The lower half was wearing a black skirt and torn pantyhose. Seth made horrified expression, but stepped right ahead, and struck it with a powerful swing.
Its head stretched at the neck muscles and came part way loose, as it continued staggering forward for just a moment, and fell with a wet slap to the concrete.
"GAWD! GROSS!"
Davin-
"Jesus fucking christ!" He was more shocked by Seth's zombie than anything coming his direction. He kicked a short, broad lady zombie back a few paces while he gathered his wits, then crushed it down with an overhand blow as it came back.
Thierry-
"Try not to think about it - just do it."
Davin-
"HOW?!"
Now five zombies came at the three men. They staggered, slow and cumbersome. Davin quickly began to realize the average zombie was no threat to a human with a stick that could see it coming.
"I'd like to imagine it was just a video game, but it would help if they didn't LOOK at you. Ugh."
>>DOCTOR VICTOR Dr. Victor glanced around the room, nodding quickly at Marie. "Right. I suppose I can snatch up anyone who'd be willing to help a doctor clean up a space? What about you, sir? Did you mention something about strategy? I think I'd need your expertise, considering we'd be on the ground floor... and the restaurant isn't going to exactly be an easy area to make sure it's well protected." "And let me not forget about you, Mr. Page. You assistance would be greatly appreciated." The doctor gave one last nod to Marie from over his shoulder. A high five style wave followed him out into the stairwell. He tried to block out the image of the four lone wolves, but knew his memory would never allow him to forget their faces. A shame they go into the waiting jaws of death so optimistic. Hope, you have killed more than I could ever care to realize.
Abdul-
"We should have more people on this task, but we will make it work. Good to see everyone is fit. The first order of business is surely to reinforce the barricades."
Tyrone-
"If you say so. I have been up an' down too damn many stair today. Maybe I'll sleep down therra t'night."
>>GM Seth, Derek, Thierry, Davin, Alex and Jackson went outside for the dumpster duty. The alley was thin and narrow, and completely deserted.
Jackson -
(in a near whisper) "Damn... where'd they all go?"
He was keenly aware of odd movements down the alley, but nothing seemed to be taking note of them.
Seth-
(Quiet, but not as quiet) "Yeah, those things are too stupid to come down here other than sheer accident or if they notice something. They forget what they're doing and wander off."
Jackson-
"Huh. I guess we haven't had much time to figure out much about them. Too busy running."
Seth-
"The ones that talk are the biggest problem. These guys are just like flood waters we gotta sandbag out."
They approached a very large green dumpster, and Seth and Jackson fiddled with the wheels. Indeed, zombies passed the alley uninterestedly as long as everyone held relatively still as they passed.
Seth-
"They're gonna like this though. Whoever wants to go to the end of the alley, get ready to smack 'em back. I'm less buff than you fine specimens, so I'll go that way. Heave-ho'ers, heave ho!"
Derek, Jackson and Alex (?) pushed the huge dumpster with a depressingly loud squawk. Davin, Thierry and Seth ran to the end of the alley, waiting with their weapons. Seth used a chipped golf club, Thierry had some comically exotic looking pole-arm that apparently was actually useful. >>GM
Davin-
"I don't know about this plan." He was barely audible above the roar of the dumpster over the concrete. "I have my reservations."
Zombies began to come into the alley, disturbing mockeries of the humans they once were, bodies jerking as if in the grip of a bad drug.
Thierry-
"Use all of your strength. When they attack, strike to crush the skull and any limb they put in the way."
>>DOCTOR VICTOR Dr. Victor glanced around the room, nodding quickly at Marie. "Right. I suppose I can snatch up anyone who'd be willing to help a doctor clean up a space? What about you, sir? Did you mention something about strategy? I think I'd need your expertise, considering we'd be on the ground floor... and the restaurant isn't going to exactly be an easy area to make sure it's well protected." "And let me not forget about you, Mr. Page. You assistance would be greatly appreciated." The doctor gave one last nod to Marie from over his shoulder. A high five style wave followed him out into the stairwell. He tried to block out the image of the four lone wolves, but knew his memory would never allow him to forget their faces. A shame they go into the waiting jaws of death so optimistic. Hope, you have killed more than I could ever care to realize.
Abdul-
"We should have more people on this task, but we will make it work. Good to see everyone is fit. The first order of business is surely to reinforce the barricades."
Tyrone-
"If you say so. I have been up an' down too damn many stair today. Maybe I'll sleep down therra t'night."
>>GM
Marie-
"Um, I don't want to push, if you're unable to work for any reason, but..."
Anna-
"Huh? What? Oh, I have uh... special stuff here I have to keep an eye on for Patti. Wish I knew where the fuck she ran to and why."
Hector-
"If you go looking for her, make goddamn sure you don't surprise her."
Marie-
"I noticed she has a gun. Is that what you mean?"
Hector-
"My fucking... My stupid damn roommate tried to shoot her, I don't know why. She's quick and scary. And I think she's going crazy."
Anna-
"Oh boy."
Marie-
"Are you sitting on a pile of guns and ammo, ma'am?"
Anna-
"I'll say no. Hey Hector, I wanna do, like, anything else. Can you watch these non-lethal thingies for Patti?"
Hector-
"Hell no, but I don't want to do anything else right now either. Egsept get fucked up, if that's cool."
Marie-
"I'm sorry, Hector, we want to save that in case it's difficult to get more, and we need it..."
Hector-
"I just can't win. I'll watch the stupid things. Have fun, pretty lady."
Anna-
"Aw, you're sweet. Don't get Patti mad at me now!"
Hector-
"Get out of here before I change my mind."
>>DOCTOR VICTOR Dr. Victor perused the ample space, grimacing at the odor that still lingered. He was thankful he still had his flashlight, but worried about the duration of battery life left within it. Turning to his two compatriots, the good doctor shrugged his shoulders. "I'm open to suggestions. Well, I'm open to good suggestions. One of my thoughts is to see what is mobile and immobile in the kitchen. It should be easy enough to move some of the heavier stainless steel appliances to the entrance. Most of the tables will have to be used as window blockers, I suppose, however. The swinging doors to the kitchen could be taken down... for something. Maybe we can get something akin to hammer and nails?" Tyrone gave the doctor the classic blank stare. "Y'know we ain't got time for all that. Why don' we jus' sweep up th' place?" The doctor frowned and shook his head. "As much as I would LOVE for things to be as easy as what Mary Poppins- oh crap, forget I even tried to make a reference." The doctor plopped down in one of the leather chairs, looking at the wreckage. He had seen a torn restaurant once before, on their first escape. Spilled food, especially cheap food, left a particular odor in the air. The fryers would still hold grease; at least any salvaged food would be disposed of. "I would like to keep the freezer in any event. When we get medications, some of them need to be kept at specific temperatures. But some, the pharmacist just tells the patient that because it keeps the taste from changing too much." Abdul tilted his head to the side, appraising Dr. Victor. "Are you sure you are ready to do this? I want to make sure you are okay. I heard your earlier conversation with the blonde couple you came in. And the way you spoke at the alley-" Tyrone pulled out a small pen cap, sticking it in his mouth. "That's jus' what th' doc sounds like. Somethin' like Dr. Qui-" "That's all right, Mr. Page. No need to worry the man any further. Let's just get some of this straightened up and look at what we got." The doctor, the guard, and the third man began shuffling around the furniture, machines and other odds and ends of housewares. Wondering if there is anything still useful in the kitchen that may have been overlooked; knives, metal rods, cast iron skillets, candles, ice machine (ice probably melted, but water is a plus), Soda canisters, pressurized CO2 canisters, additional first aid kits, defibrulator units, bottled water, bleach, soap, ammonia, any foodstuffs not plundered (rice is GREAT, dried noodles etc), mousetraps with poisons (blood thinner if necessary), fire extinguishers (the doc's best friend), charcoal (purifies water), soju/sake (not for drinking but as an antiseptic), linen napkins and tablecloths for wounds and bandages[/b] >>GM
Kenny and Bryce pulled up cinderblocks to sit on by the door, just as Seth and company left to do their inscrutable mission outside.
Kenny-
"Good luck guys, just knock if you need in!"
Seth-
"Haha, well I'm sure we'll need in eventually. Thank you Kenny."
Kenny watched as they left, and made sure the door shut behind them, pulling the chunk of wood through the handles firmly. Bryce sat idle, watching him.
Kenny-
"What'd ya think of that? "President Snake." Haha... we're really in an action movie now."
Bryce-
"For real."
They sat in peace a while, in the dull grey light filtering through the rolldown door of the garage.
Bryce-
"Did you really wanna know about my OD?"
Kenny-
"I mean, don't depress the shit out of me if it's like that, but... was it accidental? Nah-- I guess that's pretty fuckin' nosy, isn't it. I wouldn't blame you though, man. I mean, obviously that's a big mistake but shit's fucked, bad."
Bryce-
"Yeah, yeah it was accidental... Semi-accidental. Um.. OK, it was about as accidental as getting in a car wreck when you're driving 90."
Kenny-
"Oh yeah, I see. I mean, I drove 90 before, haha... Um.. So what happened? You got saved by Mr. President? That's gotta be weird."
Bryce-
"Yeah... OK I don't really remember that part at all. I felt like there was some kind of riot going on, and I expected to stop, but it just kept going. Then there were people, and I had to go somewhere... and after that I remember Susie talking a whole lot but I couldn't understand what she was saying. I thought she was Russian."
Kenny-
"I had nights like that, haha... Well, what do you think about all this? Pretty high tension, I ain't into it. I think it'll cool out though. These new people are all high-strung but DAMN some hot ladies. You see those cute Asians?"
Bryce-
"Oh... Oh yeah, they're just... peaches. Just.. the pips. The bee's knees."
Kenny-
"Ah come on. You only like white girls then?"
Bryce-
"Hahaha. Close."
Kenny-
"I dunno though. These new people... how many people are gonna come here? What if a total psycho gets in here? Fuck... Some of those props man, glad it was white Obama out there. Unless Snake's a secret psycho too. Ugh."
Bryce-
"Secret psycho. That's funny, should be the name of a movie."
Kenny-
"Yeah! Oh man. Movies. Are we gonna get to see movies again?"
Bryce-
"As long as there's liberty caps, I think we can make that happen."
Kenny-
"Maybe we can grow 'em out back..."
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Post by ◊◊BLOODBEASTER◊◊ on May 7, 2016 16:21:20 GMT -8
>>GM
Tyrone-
"You'll get a nice waitin' room at least. Nice chairs..."
Tyrone poked the fat leather seat of a chair at the perimeter.
Abdul-Rahman-
"I wonder how we'll get the medical supplies you require, doctor? Surely these first aid kits and the contents of medicine cabinets will not be enough."
>>DOCTOR VICTOR The good doctor let out a sigh, followed by a shrug, followed by a sly grin. "Abdul, I appreciate the sentiment. I truly do. I can whip up some things just out of common household cleaners, to be honest. But, more importantly, I want to get to the hospital Davin told me about around the way here. See, I have this magic little card!" Dr. Victor pulled out his medical pass, tapping the small raised square in the corner. "Microchip. Even with the power out, this door pass will work on just about everything; it still can demagnetize many doors. And the hospital has probably some decent security still active somewhere... so I can get the drugs from the dispensary and possibly from something called a 'pyxis.' In any event, I feel this will be best accomplished in-" The doctor let out a grunt trying to move one of the leather seats. "Uhn, well in any case, I think we can talk to Seth about the dangers and risks involved in trying to penetrate a hospital. You know, we are the first point of contact in many disaster scenarios. In all likelihood, the hospital makes outside look like a deserted town. Baring death rising for no reason, it has all the bodies and victims... think of it as ground zero for many epidemics. But never you fear, I'm sure there won't be a volunteer for this mission. And I'd prefer it if the group who went with me into that hell hole knew the risks... to hell with 'saving' anybody. Be my luck there'd be some 89 year old granny stuck in bed. And I don't want to remind everyone what happened with the nursing home patients in Katrina, hmm?" The doctor took a quick sitting break in the leather seat. "Mr. Page, I believe this will be MY chair. And the other one can go to my room as I document patients. If Micah would like one, he can have one too. IF he gets around to asking- Bah, I ramble on." >>GM The men dug around through the restaurant, which was hastily ransacked. The light filtered through brown paper and cast the place in a murky brown shade.
Indeed there was a kitchen worth of utensils, sharp knives and all. The fridge was bare save for some scant greenery and mystery bottles of sauces. The sink was filled up with water, like the other rooms in 403, and the ice machine was indeed full of water.
The kitchen had one of the stock blue first aid kits that the Doctor was well familiar with, this one especially full of burn gel. Tyrone found in the bathroom lots of toilet paper, some soap, cleaning products including ammonia and a couple metal handed mops that could be used as weapons if the heads were broken off.
Abdul found a supply closet full of folded tablecloths, napkins, cutlery, gas powered lighters and table candles.
In the kitchen beneath the hideously dirty grill were a couple bags of charcoal, and a container of lighter fluid. The alcohol seemed to have been plundered, but there were plenty of dishes, a fire extinguisher, (also one on every floor of 403!), and boxes of paper towels and tissues.
Additionally found were some nice silk flowers, white aprons, some forgotten coats, potted palm trees, lighting fixtures that could potentially be converted to hold torches, countless leather stools and chairs, someone's wallet and iphone left at a table, and streaks of blood and dirty footprints through the lobby.>>GM Bryce and Kenny sat in peace for a bit more, when Anna came out of the stairwell door.
Anna-
"Hey gents. Before you say anything, let me tell you that I will find your company eminently more tolerable if you don't flirt with me."
Bryce-
"High opinion of yourself, there. Congratulations."
Kenny-
"Uh, OK. 'Sup?"
Anna-
"Did tattooed guy come through here?"
Kenny-
"Oh yeah, he's out back with the Prez and the guys."
Anna-
"Ugh... I can't deal with President Chipper right now, but I need to do something that matches my skill set."
Bryce-
"Lumping stuff around with meatheads is one of your skills?"
Anna-
"No, but fucking shit up is."
She went for the door.
Kenny-
"You sure? There's like zombies and..."
Anna gave him a look that stopped him dead in his tracks. He shut up, and let her exit the building, almost forgetting to jump up and latch the door behind her.
Kenny-
"Damn... Wow."
Bryce-
"Isn't she just a sassy britches?"
Kenny-
"Man, "sassy bri--" ...Ohhh you're gay?"
>>NAT Nat went with Sarah to help Peg and the others look for supplies. It seemed like a safe enough task - he certainly didn't want to have to go outside again. He glanced briefly after Alex when he joined the outside group, but quickly turned back to the task at hand. >>DOCTOR VICTOR "All right gentlemen. Let use see if we can make these supplies appear upstairs. We'll take the possible weapons up, the candles, the charcoal and lighter fluid. We can also bring up the phone for the communication people. I'll carry the phone. And some aprons. And the silk flowers. I'm sure you boys can gather the that up. Oh, leave some cooking sheers to cut the linens with just in case. Maybe nick a few for the dinning floor? OH! And make sure Micah and the other girl don't go using the charcoal for cooking! It serves as a great water filtration aid. We'll need it for that above all else. Shame on the alcohol, though... and mouse traps. But, better safe to use real drugs instead of jury rigging them from rat poison, eh?" The doctor struggled, wanting to just trudged upstairs; instead he lifted his head, giving a last once-over to the space. "Maybe we should leave one of the mops down here to clean with, in case of emergencies. I doubt people would like the idea of collecting urine to sanitize the floor, but water certainly won't do. Bah, what people don't know about chemistry, math, and science would kill them." >>GM
Abdul-
"OK, we did this thing, but we have more yet to do. What did I say I felt the first order of business should be? It is not secure enough. Let's come up with a more permanent seal to the doors."
Tyrone-
"I don' feel like the stair again yet, doc. Maybe we help with Abdulla's thing for a bit."
>>PATTI Patti entered the parking garage. She looked around for somewhere where nobody would bother her. She found an lot Tercel with plastic taped over the driver's side window. She pulled the plastic off, unlocked the door, and plopped down in the seat. She tried to recline the seat, but instead it collapsed all the way back. She laid there and stared blankly at the ceiling. All she saw was blood and violence. She knew she couldn't afford to lose her shit, but these people were going to get everyone killed and she wasn't sure she could be a party to that. Maybe she could take what she could carry and go off on her own. Maybe. Some people came down the stairs, chatting as they went. She didn't immediately recognize the voices, but she didn't bother to sit up and check them out. She needed time. Now her two closest allies thought she was nuts. Fuck them. This was a crazy, bullshit situation, she had every right to flip her shit. Whatever. >>ALEX Alex threw his weight behind the garbage bin. He tried to ignore the undead until they became an active threat, but this proved to be difficult, at best. "Do you think they have anything left?" he asked Jackson. "I mean, anything left of the person? Like, uh, like personality or thoughts or ..." He trailed off. What if they met zombie Emiliano? "Oh, God, don't kill anyone who looks like Mexican Nat. Y-you know Nat, right? Just don’t, please!" >>GM
Jackson-
"Man... you poor kid. I dunno man, I really don't think they have anything left."
Jackson spoke with a slight labor as they pushed the bin until it was scraping against the concrete walls.
"I think their spirit goes somewhere else. I think this is just the body, being used by something evil. Like how Mary was. I bet Mary used to be a normal woman, but her spirit is gone somewhere else."
>>GM Somewhere behind Alex and the other pushers, someone wolf-whistled.
Anna-
"Hey tough dudes! Nice view I got here... if ya know what I mean! Haha..."
She casually walked over to the other side of the alley and watched Seth, Davin and Thierry beating back zombies.
Seth hooked a business casual zombie by the back of his polo shirt, and tossed it to Thierry, who jousted it through the neck with the point of his fancy looking pole-arm. Davin just brutally crushed in the head of a middle-aged woman zombie, and it fell face first to the asphalt.
Anna-
"Nice chops guys, mind if I join in?"
Seth glanced back for just a second and smiled.
Seth-
"Sure, come on in, Anna."
Anna-
"Don't go thinking we're best friends..."
>>DOCTOR VICTOR The good doctor held back rolling his eyes by leaning his head back in the comfortable chair. "Right... keeping out the bad. Well, let's think. What's the heaviest things in a restaurant? The kitchen equipment. Baring any REAL strong people, I guess we can see if some of that crap actually moves. I think I saw some wheels on some things. I just don't want to make a lot of racket... so if it is wedged, its wedged. "Otherwise, I suppose we could use the swinging doors to the kitchen and even the bathroom stall doors to reinforce the walls and windows. Why don't we get started with that? It will give us a thicker wall, in any event. And most of those things are less labor intensive than moving heavy stainless steel cooking equipment. I'm sure there is a toolbox somewhere around this dump-er in the closet with linens and such. "The saddest thing, in that horrible store called 'Fireworks' I actually saw this little flashlight that was shaped like a panda bear. It had a small latch on the side where one could pop out a small squeeze crank to charge the power inside; I think its based on those shake light thingies or what have you, only with a spinning crank. I dismissed it because it annoyed me greatly. Now, I only wish I had bought it. Not to rehash the past, but do you two gentlemen regret any last-minute things?" The doctor began setting his initial thoughts into motion, examining the door hinges at the various locations for easy of removal.
Abdul-Rahman-
"Perhaps I shouldn't have been so eager to help these particular people. I can see my skills are not appreciated. Perhaps that will change."
Tyrone-
"Ha. That's pretty bitchy man. Um.... I regret I don't carry a lifetime supply of cig'rettes with me everywhere."
>>ALEX When Anna whistled, Alex snorted with amusement and grinned stupidly. Though she was probably complimenting Jackson (they made a cute pair), pretending that she thought he was hot stuff, too, lifted Alex's mood. He was just glad the Anna and the other guys were handling the fighting. Alex hadn't fought before the dead started rising. Well, that wasn’t entirely true. He roughed a kid up in fifth grade, since the little snot kept calling him a "Lamanite." Alex won their scrap, but he didn't escape unscathed. His dad took out the belt for that indiscretion and tanned Alex's hide until he learned to turn the other cheek. Que sera, sera. "Anna's pretty cool," Alex idly commented. >>PATTI Patti sat up, but the seat back didn't follow her. Oof. She opened the door as quietly as possible and left the door open so the clunk of the door wouldn't startle anyone. She spotted the two guards about forty feet away. She gave a soft, musical whistle to alert them to her presence, then approached. It was the "ladies man" and the little strung out kid. She didn't feel great about these clowns guarding their lives, but she knew nothing was going to change that. Roll with it, baby. "Hey, um, guys. Did I hear some folks go outside? What are they up to? D'you think they might need help?" >>MICAH Micah dug through what seemed to be the fridge of a group of college students. Mostly, nothing but takeout boxes and two cans of the cheapest beer possible. He tossed out box after box of dried out teriyaki, bored out of his skull until he heard some quiet but excited chatter in the hall.
Lilla-
"So WHO is the cutest? C'mon..."
Ione-
"Hmm that Indian kid, or maybe he's Mexican? I can't tell, anyway, what a hottie!"
Lilla-
"Oh yeah! For sure. He's like, my son's age though, so I'm more into the hunky doctor."
Ione-
"I think he looks like that guy from that old vampire show.. that big jaw guy."
Lilla-
"The Twilight guy?"
Ione-
"No no, the old show, on TV..."
Chantelle walked by.
Chantelle-
"David Boreanaz from Buffy? They're probably the same age too."
Ione-
"Yeah! That's the one. Yeah, too old. Who do you like, Chan?"
Chantelle-
"Oh I dunno yet... Seth is such a sweetie, but I dunno really..."
Chantelle politely excused herself to go back to work on her project, and the other women continued their gossip.
Lilla-
"If you want someone with more of a classy look, it'd be that Thierry. I can tell he's got a rockin' bod!"
Ione-
"Ughhh! He's bald!"
Lilla-
"Oh you're not into the brothers? It's okay, it's just a preference."
Ione-
"Yeah, I just don't see myself getting with a brother. "
(She sounded exceptionally white.)
Lilla-
"Hmmm.. Oh oh, how about Jackson? He's even the right age for me. So fine!"
Ione-
"I think he's already hooked up with that weird little barbarian."
Lilla-
"Oh the bullring? I'm sure she's a doll."
Ione-
"I guess it takes all kinds... but a man that fine should be with a winner."
Lilla-
"OHHHHH!"
>>MICAH Micah paused from pouring another soured milk carton into the toliet, when he heard the gossiping outside. He grinned, thankful to be distracted from the mind numbing task he had found himself signed up for. He grabbed the cheap arse beer and cracked it open. Taking a sip, he wandered closer to the door to eavesdrop on the conversation. Alex, a Mexican? he sniggered. He didn't quite see the comparison between Angel and the doctor. Angel was such an over-emotional wimp, Micah had always been more of a Spike person. Spike had a sense of humour and who could go past that accent or those cheekbones or that body. Of course they ruined it all when they gave him a soul and he fell for Buffy. The Americanisms amused him, brother? doll? Seriously? Americans thought his slang was strange. The beer was cheap but it was nice enough, though not his typical thing. The thought of not getting any booze in while also made it taste that much better. He leaned closer to the door trying not to be heard or seen by the gaggle of women. >>GM Sarah had been doing some work in the hall, and passed by the women.
Lilla-
"Hey, what was your name again?"
Sarah-
"Sarah. How's it going?"
Lilla-
"Oh fine, fine. I was just wondering, that little fella you're going around with. How long have you been going out? You're adorable."
Sarah-
"Oh, haha... we're not really going out. Um, haha..."
Lilla-
"Oh. Well, who might you like? You're also hanging out with that big strong guy."
Sarah-
"Wait... 'girl talk'? Really? We're supposed to be working. We've got a lot to do here!"
Ione-
"Oh we're just taking a break..."
Sarah-
"Man, I don't know... Oh hell."
(she leaned against the wall.)
"--Nat is really just my friend, but I have to admit. He's adorable, if he asked me I'd say yes. But.. I dunno. I guess I don't really have a type, but Alex, that's the big guy. Oh man."
Ione-
"I KNOW!"
Lilla-
"I REALLY KNOW! Hey, who's that weird guy. He's pretty tight y'know, pretty buff but slim... not very good hygiene?"
Sarah-
You mean, the Australian?
Lilla-
Yeah him, what'd you think of him? I think he's pretty hot. Too young for me obviously, but y'know...
Sarah-
Ugh, so rude! He acts like everyone in Australia is like that or something, but maybe that's just an excuse to be a raging asshole.
Ione-
I don't like that he cusses. He looks too feminine too. I don't like that type.
Lilla-
I dunno, he's got kind of a... brooding romantic... alcoholic quality to him. He just looks out of control, like he'd be.. exciting.
Sarah-
Yeah, if you're into wifebeaters!
Ione-
Oh it's like that one book! The old time book with the Victorian people! He's sooo like that. Ugh, I don't like old time people.
Lilla-
"What about Snake? Ooh... He's skinny, but I saw him flexin' once and he has INSANE ABS! Insane."
Sarah-
"That's our new president right? He's pretty cute yeah. That's weird that we have a hot president..."
Lilla-
I guess it's not too weird.
Ione-
Oh you mean Obama? Ugh, he's kinda funny lookin'... I dunno.
Lilla-
Remember, some people like the brothers Ione. Anyway, Snake, what'd you think? I wonder if he's into anybody... Haha, too young for me, well... maybe not? Hmm... That nickname, I wonder if it means what I THINK it means! HEY O!"
Ione-
"OH! You're so DIRTY! Hahaha!"
Sarah-
"That's too far! Uh, Lilla? Lilla."
Lilla-
"What? But seriously, did anybody seeee anything? Sittin' at a funny angle or...?" >>MICAH Micah leaned back enjoying the beer. He hoped the five o'clock rule didn't count in a apocalypse. He listened with interest as Sarah joined the conversation, admitting her crush on Nat. Those two didn't stand a chance, unless one of them got the guts to make a move. Alex certainly was a popular one... The weird guy? Who were they talking about now? Not very good hygiene? Australian? Him! He put his arm up sniffing his armpit, it smelt okay to him. A bit rich, considering that Sarah chick was still wearing the same clothes as fucking yesterday. He'd changed clothing three fucking times. He'd showered. He nearly choked on the beer, making a small Fzzt sound. A raging arse hole, where did that come from? Someone clearly wanted pubic hair in their dinner tonight. As he fought back the coughing, he heard further gossiping ensue. Feminine? Brooding? Alcoholic? He glanced down guiltily at his beer. That was his uncle not him, he wasn't like Frank, anything but that. He only drank twice a week usually, and rarely got totally pissed. There was that one time of course but it had been his twenty-first birthday. The taste of the beer soured on his tongue and he felt sick. W-wifebeater? Did he really seem like he could do that? Maybe he was his uncle, and he'd just been kidding himself all this fucking time. He looked down at his hands, the beer sloshing onto the floor as he spread his palms upward. They were shaking. He slumped onto the floor, missing the spilled beer by inches. He tried not to think about his mum, or the bruises they'd shared. Memories poured in like water through a broken cup. He wallowed in the memories for a few minutes before standing up. He had to distract himself, somehow. He went over to the kitchen again to find a tea towel or sponge to wipe up the spill he'd made. When there was no trace of it left, he moved to the bathroom. It was a bit of a mess, dried half-used toothpaste lay at the sink and bits of hair carpeted the floor. The only things remotely clean were the sink and bathtub, where the others had obviously cleaned up earlier to save water. Using his fingernail, he began scraping out bits of old toothpaste until he reached the more liquid part of the paste. It would have to do. He squirted some onto his finger and began cleaning his mouth out to get rid of the beer flavour. He used the water in the sink, let it out afterwards with a gurgle. He refilled the sink with water, splashing some of it on his face and ran his fingers through his hair. Bad hygiene? How did that work? He wandered out into the hall to find the two women still milling around. The older blonde woman who had thought he was sexy, the younger one who had called him feminine and Victorian agey. "Ladies, have either of you seen Chantelle? We probably should begin discussing what to cook for dinner or lunch, which ever comes fricken f-first right?" >>GM
Ione-
"I think she's mostly up on the patio, we saw her a bit ago picking up some supplies. She's just cookin' away! Poor thing."
Lilla-
"Yeah, can you believe they have to cook ALL the perishables? I have no idea what we're gonna eat after that, but they say they have enough. Well go on, chase that angel."
Lilla winked and shot Micah a finger gun.>>MICAH "I'll go and give her a hand up there then. Don't work too hard, we're not living in the Victorian era after all!" He winked at the women, then sauntered upstairs to the patio. ( BAZZINGA!  ) >>GM The women looked at each other with hands over their mouths. "Oooooooooooh!" "I know!" >>GM
Jackson-
"Wow, I guess she patched things up with the president. Wonder what that was all about in the first place..."
The noise of the dumpster was loud enough that Derek couldn't hear what Jackson was saying on the other side of Alex. They jammed it at the end of the alley, until it wouldn't budge as it hit a concrete angle. A very thin, veined zombie arm swiped at them from behind, but it was hopeless to get anywhere near them. If they pulled their bodies up over the edge a bit, they could look over the top at dumbfounded and agitated zombies on the other side that made strange gasping noises.
Jackson-
"Oh that's good enough for me."
Derek leapt up part way and flipped the bird to the zombies.
Derek-
"Fuck youuu and goodbye!"
Jackson-
"I'm sure they're terribly offended."
They turned around, watching Seth, Davin, Thierry and Anna wailing on zombies, a small pile of corpses surrounding them. There was a small crowd of oncoming zombies in the distance.
Jackson, Alex, and Derek started jogging toward the other group.>>GM
Kenny-
"Oh hey, you one of the new people? Yeah, the prez & some dudes are blocking the alley."
Bryce-
"--and the little anarchist. She's probably eating chunks of zombies as we speak."
Kenny-
Dude! Groooossss!
Bryce-
"I'm not the one doing it!"
Patti could see through the very bottom of the closed mesh rolldown near the back door, feet jogging back towards the building. She didn't hear any commotion though.>>DOCTOR VICTOR Wiping the sweat from his forehead, the doctor grunted, lifting the final door off the hinges in the stalls. Setting the doors down, he turned to look at the entrance. "I guess we can take turns watching each other. I'd feel safe with bigger, stronger people, but they want to defend the 'humanz' entrance. If we move some of the tables out, then put the doors first, we can use less tables to block the entrance. I still want to see if- is it hotter in here?" The doctor slumped into the comfy chair with the grace of a pageant queen, leg crossing one of the other, elbows resting on the arms. "Well, as I said, we should see if the stoves, refrigerators, or what-have-you, to reinforce the doors. We might be able to con-convince the other guys to move something around where the entrance was as well." Leaning forward a minute, the doctor cast a sideways glance at his two workers. "I think I'm going to catch my breath for a moment. Puzzle some things out, a little bit." >>ALEX Alex scooped up his metal pipe, which was spattered with dried blood and who knew what else, as he jogged toward the fighters. The president had an impressive swing. Now that Jackson mentioned it, he was curious to know what set Anna off. Seth didn't seem like an offensive guy. Quite the contrary, actually. Maybe polite people upset her? Nah, that couldn't be it. Alex wanted to ask, but he didn't think Anna would appreciate the gesture. Well, he could always approach her with a general, "How are you?" If she felt like talking, fine. "Anna, doing all right?" he called out. If there's another dumpster that needs moving, Alex will help with that, rather than fight.
Anna-
"Fine thanks."
She did an overhand swing with her rubber mallet, it collided with a thin woman zombie's face with a loud "TOK" and the zombie spun end over end to the cement.>>GM Seth glanced back to see the other men were done with their work.
Seth-
"Great job guys. Maybe let's go back inside for a bit and let this cool off. Then we can move the trucks."
The fighters fell back slowly, Anna almost seemed like she wasn't going to fall back at all.
Anna-
"Dudes! Get the door!"
Jackson reached the door first, and knocked. It opened, and he stood to the side, holding it open for the oncoming warriors. Derek was in first, disappearing around the concrete slab and down the steps.>>GM
Tyrone-
"See? Imagine gon' up those star fifty thousn' times, runnin' half across the city. No fun. Anyway, I think we good enough to just stack all this shit out hura in front a'the door. We come back later and nail it up proper."
Abdul wiped sweat from his brow, and sighed deeply.
"As much as I feel these defenses are inadequate, I am nearly ready to admit defeat."
Tyrone-
"Yeah we just push every chair n'table in front there, and calls shit done. There's that door to the lobby to worry about too, though I hate to admit it. That Snake says they broke up the doors 'round here so they don't open, stacked shit outside too."
>>GM Suddenly, there was a loud knocking at the door. Kenny scrambled to get up and get the chunk of wood out of the the handle. Derek almost bowled him over running inside.
Kenny-
"Is it bad?!"
Derek
"God damn! God damn that was... hey bro."
Derek bent down, leaning on his knees and catching his breath. Davin jogged in next, lightly misted with blood.
Davin-
"Hi Patti."
The others came in hurriedly, Anna hanging back to shove back zombies that attempted to follow down the stairs. Jackson practically had to drag her inside.
Jackson and Derek held the door as Kenny put the wood block into place. It didn't seem that difficult. Seth smiled and spoke up, he had a thin runner of blood going diagonally across his face from jaw to forehead.
Seth-
"Great work guys! Let's catch a rest, and we can get out there and move the trucks to do the other side in a few minutes."
There was a light scratching against the door.
Davin-
"*sigh* That's nasty work... Nasty. But they're not as scary as they were yesterday. My problem's when we see those damn ghosts again"
Seth nodded.
Seth-
"We were lucky to not to see those last night. I'm glad you guys have come around to tell us, I'm sure we can figure out a way to defeat them too."
Davin shook his head.
Davin-
"Bullets go right through them, I have NO idea what you're thinking."
Bryce-
"We'll give Pacman a super pellet."
Seth chuckled.
Seth-
"We figure out these zombies need their heads messed with, right? So there's gotta be a way with these ghosts too, we just haven't figured it out."
The scratching on the door subsided.
Seth-
"Hey there's a water cooler in the lobby just upstairs, feel free to go get a drink everyone."
He flopped on to the floor next to Bryce and Kenny, catching his breath.
Anna-
"Seth. I forgot... What did you do before we met?"
Seth-
"College baseball. English major. BA. Trying to get into the minors and failing. Odd jobs. Bike courier for three months. Yawn. You?"
Anna-
"Art school."
Seth-
"That's right, I forgot. You a senior this year?"
Anna-
"No. Lucky too, or my show would be in like a month. That shit would suck the suckiest of balls. Apocalypse before you get your stupid BFA? Damn. Sucks to be them. But... I was just asking 'cause, I wanted to know where you got your team spirit skills. I guess that was organized sports. Haha."
Seth-
"Yup. Team captain and everythin'."
Bryce-
"You're at least as qualified as dubya was."
Seth-
"Ha! Thanks for the non-pliment."
Bryce-
"You're welcome. There's just one thing we have to be sure of before your dubya equivalency can be assessed, how well can you handle your coke?"
Seth-
"Ha. Not a problem unless I drink like, a 2 liter in one sitting."
Bryce-
"Nope, you fail. Guess we'll have to do the election again."
Kenny-
"Shouldn't be so rude, dude. Snake's got our backs."
Derek-
"Yeah, respect."
Seth wiped his face, smearing the blood trail even farther.
Seth-
"Ugh, yuck."
Bryce-
"Hey, don't you know your Socrates? The role of the gadfly is necessary in maintaining the wisdom of a just society."
Kenny-
"Wow, that shit is deep."
>>PATTI "When you guys are ready again, I'll back you up. I'm gonna go get something. I'll be down in a minute." Patti headed up the stairwell. >>PATTI Patti entered and saw Hector sitting with the guns. It didn't even occur to her that some people in her shoes might be concerned with that prospect. "Hey, Hector, I need to get into one of those bags real quick." She knelt down beside the bag and unzipped it. She reloaded her magazines real quick, then loaded up the "home defense" shotgun and dropped a dozen shells in her pockets.
Hector-
"It's all you."
She headed back downstairs without another word. >>DOCTOR VICTOR The doctor groaned, kicking some errant broken plate, the food contents causing him to skid a bit. Not even the sound of the plate shattering against the wall seemed to ease the tension between his shoulders; the pressure felt like it would snap like a cable on a bridge. "This is NOT part of the current situation. I just want to get this SHITHOLE of a restaurant in working conditions for all the mamby-pamby whiny bleeding girls who will undoubtedly show up to mooch off of the dwindling supplies." Dr. Victor balled his fist, his arm trembling as he gripped onto the flashlight. "Look. We can just clean this up... THIS space. Then, if the great sympathizer wants to reinforce the other areas better, he can do that. I just want to make sure this area is safe. If we try and fix everything on the ground floor right now, we might as well just not do anything else." Pacing, the doctor grumbled loudly to himself, still staring at the horrid wooden paneling and tacky nouveau decor. "We'll get you the BEST place to set up. I'll give you first pick of the rooms. I'll give you everything. I don't care HOW much he looks like Asthon Kutcher, he's nothing more than some dumbed down yes man who still dreams like he's twelve! Marie's pulling his strings, don't you worry about that. And I'll-" The doctor brought himself back to the current conversation. "Sorry. I'm used to dealing with people who are unconscious. I'll just get to cleaning up that little mess. Unless anyone else has anything they want to say?" >>ALEX
When Alex listened to the group chat, he experienced an unnerving sense of deja vu. The president was a baseball player and English major? He was also good looking and ... taller than Alex. Well, Alex obviously weighed more. Ha. But was that a good thing? He glanced down and prodded his stomach thoughtfully.
What if Seth was also good at dancing? Better at dancing, even! Alex didn't think he could stand being one-upped in that skillset, too. Well, he always had the Native American card. Ladies LOVED the Native American card. Most ladies. Carly did, at least.
He caught a hint of a distinct smell and wrinkled his nose. It smelled like his Uncle Brick. Did somebody take the weed? He had a really sensitive nose. He could probably sniff the person out, but that would be too intrusive ...
When Patti returned, Alex offered her a smile. >>NAT Nat had been busying himself gathering up stuff from one of the empty apartments. He had an armful of blankets, clothing, and pillows stacked nearly up to his eyes. He just needed to get it over to the piles Peg had laid out. As he came out into the hall, he saw that Sarah and a couple other women were standing around, talking - he needed to go that way anyway, so he smiled a bit shyly as he meandered up, leaning a bit to the side to peer around his armful of bedding. "Um. H-Hi. Hey Sarah? There's um, there's more stuff in that room. Mostly, um, mostly clothes. And I didn't check the kitchen or bathrooms yet..." He trailed off, blinking at the other two women who were giggling like a pair of high-school girls. "Um, did, um, did I interrupt some-something?" >>GM
Seth stretched on the floor a bit, Alex recognized the moves. He was probably just a contact hitter with that build. Thierry came back with four small cups of water balanced.
Seth-
"Hey what's your favorite food everybody?"
Bryce-
"Oh man, do we really wanna talk about stuff we're never gonna eat again?"
Seth-
"Hey, don't think like that. I bet we'll get to eat anything we want eventually. Maybe I'm just hungry, haha... Seriously though."
Bryce-
"If you insist, just to get it out of the way... Ice cream."
Derek-
"I can tell dude, haha!"
Seth-
"Ooh what flavor?"
Bryce-
"The high fat kind. Nyeeeah *he stuck his tongue out at Derek*"
Anna-
"I dunno if that goes with the spirit of the question, I mean ice cream isn't really a food, it's a dessert, a whole different thing. Everybody'd say ice cream."
Seth-
"Maybe Bryce REALLY likes ice cream. I like strawberry. What do you like Anna?"
Anna-
"Hmm... Oh I'm lucky. Canned food. Black olives."
Seth-
"Oh yeah, you're Italian, right?"
Anna-
*stares* "Oh yes, that's totally racial."
Seth-
"I mean, that's like your family tradition or whatever? Oh nevermind. Jackson?"
Jackson-
"Oh hm, watermelon. Not all the time, but y'know, when it's time for a watermelon, it's awesome."
Seth-
"Aw yeah! In the summer... that sounds nice. Derek?"
Derek-
"This is mad elementary school man. Uh.. Fuck it. Steak."
Bryce-
"Overcompensating for something?"
Derek-
"I have no idea what you're talking about dude."
Seth-
"That's my favorite! I like any kind of meat... I'll eat a seagull if I have to."
Davin-
"Oh you'll have to. "
Seth glanced to Alex.
Seth-
"Oh yeah! I didn't really get to talk to you. 'Alex'? Good job out there by the way. So, what do you like to eat?"
>>GM
Lilla-
"Aww! I'm sorry we stole your friend."
Ione-
"Yeah we were just having girl-talk you know."
"Hey, it's okay. You can have her back."
Sarah laughed, putting her hand over her face briefly.
Sarah-
"Thanks gals. That was fun."
Ione-
"Haha. Really."
Lilla-
"Yeah, see you around you two!"
>>GM
Tyrone-
"Oh doc. Don't worry 'bout a problem 'till it happens. Pretty obvious being prepared ain't for nothin' now. Maybe get a drink a'water..."
Abdul-Rahman-
"Now that's a ridiculous thing to say, we need preparation more now than ever!"
Tyrone-
"Best laid plans man..."
>>ALEX
Alex jolted slightly. The president was talking to him. President better version of Alex. Say something cool. Something cool. "Chocolate milk, but too much makes me sick." Daaamn. It. Milk wasn’t even a food. "I mean ...” What was exotic? What was that fancy junk Emiliano said he ate in Japan? "Uh. I like Shirako." He hoped Shirako wasn't something nasty ...>>GM
Seth-
"Oh chocolate milk, yummy. I don't know what 'shirako' is, is it like teriyaki?"
Derek-
"I think shirako is like... fish jizz, man..."
Seth-
"Fish have jizz? I thought they laid eggs."
Davin-
"Yeah they do, but it's all external. They just like, let it go in the water. Big fish orgy."
Anna-
"Dude! Squinty! I thought you were the classy one."
Seth-
"But... Fish don't have penises, do they?"
Thierry-
"A penis wouldn't be required without intercourse. I would imagine if they use some sort of stimulation, it's more like... tribadism."
Anna-
"Fish can't have tribadism, because they don't have legs. It's frottage."
Kenny-
"Holy crap! This is so depraved! I'm in a building full of sex freaks!"
Seth-
"Not sex 'freaks', people should be open about sexuality. Sex positivity! Anyway... it's just fish. I don't think anyone has a fetish for that."
Bryce-
"Actually, Troy McClure did on the Simpsons."
Kenny-
"Man, I wonder if we'll ever get to the see the Simpsons again..."
Alex was relieved to see the conversation had moved on, with his reputation unscathed.>>ALEX
When the group started discussing fish sex, Alex realized that he was in the big, open world now. Here, people said things like "frottage" with a straight face. It was actually pretty funny. He started snickering and then laughing outright. "If you ever miss the Simpsons, I can just about quote every episode from heart," Alex offered. >>GM Anna- "Eeeexcellent." Anna tried to do a Mr. Burns impression.Jackson- "Sorry... that wasn't very good. Pretty cute though." Anna- "Oh, I always aim for cute. Ya bastid." Seth turned back to Alex, standing up and stretching with the golf club behind his neck.Seth- "So what do you do, Alex? You a student around here?" >>ALEX
"Ah, yeah. Seattle University. English. Baseball." He snickered again. "But I want to be a fireman. You aren't a fireman, are you?" Alex paused. Then, he asked, "And can you dance?"
>>GM
Seth-
"Haha. How about that! Nope, I am not a fireman. I can dance well enough to not be laughed out of a club, but it is pretty dark in those places. All the flashy lights too..."
Bryce got a funny look.
Bryce-
"Huh..."
Seth-
"Disappointed I wasn't on Soul Train, Bryce?"
Bryce-
"Soul Train? No.. that was before your time right, old timer?"
Seth-
"Oh yes, I'm totally 50 years old, lots of plastic surgery. Gosh."
Bryce-
"Hey um, Seth... What's your favorite band?"
Seth-
"Ohhh that's tough. I like a lot of stuff... Uh, don't laugh. I love the Gaga. I'm not afraid to admit it, okay?!"
Bryce-
"Oh yeah, yeah... Lady Gaga..." *shifty look*
Kenny-
"Whoa, chicks gotta like that right? Seems like all the hipster boys are into Lady Gaga when there's ladies standing nearby, haha."
Seth-
"Haha, maybe so. Hey what bands do you like, Bryce?"
Bryce-
"Hm. Lots of different kind of stuff. I have a soft spot for Slayer lately. "
Seth-
"What's that like?"
Bryce-
"Badass."
Anna-
"Eh, they're kinda boring."
Bryce-
"Depends on which drugs you've done."
Seth-
"Is that like heavy metal?"
Kenny-
"Aw man, why you gotta be so new Seth? Ya make me feel like a fossil."
Seth-
"Haha sorry. Bryce, are you a rocker?"
Bryce-
"I guess you could say that."
Thierry-
"I don't know, I hate to break this up but... do you think they've thinned out enough for stage two?"
Seth-
"Oh yeah, probably so. I'll peek out there."
>>DOCTOR VICTOR The doctor sneered and whipped himself around, grasping onto the nice leather chair with his free hand. He tossed it down and kicked it towards the pile of haphazardly stacked tables and doors. The resounding thunk seemed to reverberate through the nearly empty room. Somewhere, the sound of silverware clattered onto a plinko-like tableau of legs and furniture. He made sure his voice projected though his back was turned to the pair. "I don't need to be killed in my sleep. And I certainly don't need to be lectured on how to 'take life easy' because I certainly wish I had before everything dropped into this handbasket headed to hell. No. We will get this place sound and secure NOW before we go and rest. We don't even have places to sleep and you just want to chill out, Mr. Page?" Dr. Victor turned, his latex-covered finger extended in the direction of the long haired man. His jaw popped, his mouth opening to continue on his tirade as he began to slowly move back towards them "And if I hear you blabber on about how 'insecure' or 'not secure' or 'preparation h' again without providing any sound advice, you'll be put into the useless category. I don't want to hear people speaking out of fear. I want results. And I want answers to this apparent 'god-like strategy' you possess. And NOW." The strides Dr. Victor took to approach Abdul were far more steady than his words; if his pace could truly be measured, it was as if the doctor was promenading on stage during a Shakespearean monologue. He kept his distance, knowing the full effect of his extended finger would be felt from three feet just as if it had been pressed against the other man's chest. >>GM Tyrone just made a small click noise with his tongue and sighed.
Tyrone-
Whatever you say, doc. 
Abdul-Rahman-
"Sir, have some respect. Obviously, one cannot instantly predict every contingency on the spur of the moment. I merely promote myself because I have the ability to maintain clarity of thought during stressful situations, and clearly many others do not."
Tyrone chuckled somewhere, as he cleaned.
Abdul-Rahman-
"First, I would have this building as secure as possible at the ground level. Next, go through all our resources and make sure adequate resource are set aside for a journey if one needs to be undertaken immediately. --and with the number of people we have, it would be possible to pursue other strategic avenues at the same time. Such as scouting the neighborhood from the rooftop, scanning the radio frequencies for any possible communication happening outside of the preset channel it's on now. Though I suppose, I should be happy to mop floors for you?"
>>DOCTOR VICTOR The doctor waved his hand at Abdul, he frustration manifesting physically. He turned to move towards the various exits. "Not what I said, Abdul... but your snark is not lost on me. If I have to spell it out for you in clear and concise words, I will. I want to make this restaurant, and this floor, secure. What am I supposed to do? Do you have input on what will make this area more structurally sound? Do you know what types of angles or joints or whatever we should prop the bracing points at? Do you know what materials we will require and do we have any immediately at our disposal? "Now, it is time for you to listen to my snarky comments, since apparently that is what we have time to do. Have you studied architecture or are you simply good at playing RPG sandbox games where one man builds a house to stop an army? I'm a medical doctor. MEDICAL. Which means I can save you from getting tetanus or dying from some obscure or even common disease. I can keep you alive even when your heart stops- wait, so can Mary. But I digress. I cannot pass for a building contractor or construction genius. I barely can fix a toilet to keep it from running. So, again, I'll ask you again, what can we do right now to make this restaurant more protected? We can get the rest of the floor as needed." The doctor moved to the mop himself, picking it up. "And until you need my vast brilliance in placing a band-aid on your boo boo, I'll be cleaning up two day old sushi off the floor." >>GM Abdul looked over the glass storefront that had been shielded from the zombies by a smattering of newspapers inside. [/color]
Abdul-Rahman-
"There is an obstacle course outside, and this lock is broken. This concealment works against the zombies, but I think something more intelligent would see it as a beacon that there is someone inside. Against that foe, I would like more powerful barricade of some sort."
Tyrone walked over to the door, and jerked on it. He worked on it for a few moments.
Tyrone-
"That seems pretty tight to me man. They broke the lock. What do you think's gonna happen? Shrek gonna come in here an' knock it down?"
Abdul-Rahman -
*sigh* "Yes... I suppose that if we have guards patrolling the first floor, not merely posted in the back stair, it should be adequate warning if something does come through. Perhaps this is barricade enough for now."
>>DOCTOR VICTOR "Finally!" The doctor shook his head at the cleaned, at least slightly, floor. "I think we should probably leave this area, the restaurant floor, as clear as possible. The kitchen will be where I can treat people, though many folks may not like the concept of lying on a service board or whatever. It will be the easiest to clean and autopsy if necessary. So, I guess that does it for now, hmm? I'm tired and a little parched. But, I'm not sure if I want to 'drink the water' just yet. Do you think the others have finished their tasks? What time is it?" The doctor leaned heavily on his mop handle, his shoulders wiping the sweat from his forehead and neck. "I guess that is almost a lost concept now. As long as there is light, it's day. And then there's night." The doctor gave Abdul a small frown. "I- Er, well... Heh heh heh. I don't mean to be so rude all the time, but considering you do have a "knack" for logical thinking, it is useful. Not saying I don't, because I most certainly could never have become such a celebrated doctor if I, too, did not possess those same faculties. I just apply them to different situations. And it is good to have your input when you finally come up with decent responses, so I am thankful. "But, something bothered me. How did you know about the questions and thinking of the roaming dead? I asked Mary a question and she seemed more than intent on responding in a typical 'evil overlord' response." >>GM
Abdul-Rahman-
"Ah, well thank you doctor. As for what we know-- we did have a very strange happening last night. I believe as I understand it, this "Mary" was much like our "Doretta." I have to admit I was not present in the room, but this creature disguised as a woman was subdued by several men, and bound. They were able to interrogate her somewhat before... well I suppose you should say she 'destroyed herself'. Ghastly. You may wish to talk to one of the people present. Seth, Thierry, Steven, and Derek were present, though I would not talk to that Derek about such matters, he is a bit emotional it seems."
Tyrone-
"Hmm. Does it seem possible it was Mary? Hey, what'd she look like?"
Abdul-Rahman-
"I unfortunately only saw the remains which were not of recognizable human stock."
Tyrone-
"Whelp, that's nasty."
>>DOCTOR VICTOR The doctor's eyes widened. "Has this Derek been questioned? You said they weren't able to answer simple questions. He could have been exposed and infected before you even know about it. I want to see him... after I take a look in that room. Is it the way it was left or has some dolt tried to have it cleaned?" The doctor's urgency held itself in check with the mop, suddenly clutching it like a scared woman holds her purse in the bad part of town. >>GM
Abdul-Rahman-
"Doctor... I have to elaborate, the room was left a complete disaster. It is... sickening beyond words. Of course it has been left intact, though the body was burned, or at least what could be gathered of it. We did not know whether this would be necessary to destroy the being. There really wasn't much to examine though, it was torn to bits really, by its own hand.
If you wish, you may examine this room... it has been written off as not salvageable. I believe someone has taped it closed due to the... smell, but you could certainly reopen it if you must...
As for Derek, he is just an emotional man. You may talk to him, but I don't believe he is any more perturbed than any of the others, just with less coping mechanisms as some might say."
>>DOCTOR VICTOR The doctor tossed the mop handle against the floor. "If it got in once it will get in again. And we can't exactly know everything or every way in which to stop it. But you have a room where it was killed. Maybe it was disgusting for you, but I watched a teenager's bowels erupt as he stuffed enough Efferdent up his ass to clean your dentures for seven years. I doubt anything could be worse than that. Besides, I might see things differently anyways. You can't say my insight won't find something that theirs have not." He turned to Tyrone. "Mr. Page, if you would be so kind as to start bringing the contents upstairs we previously sorted out. Mr. Rahman, if you could also alert whoever is supposed to be guarding the stairwell their duties have increased for the time being. I'm going to go do something more productive than women's housework. Lord knows they're probably just chitting away like hens over who wants to bang a doctor." The good Dr. Victor left the flashlight and duffle to rest in the kitchen area and hollered. "WHAT ROOM WAS IT, ABDUL?" >>GM Abdul shook his head wearily and sighed.
Abdul-Rahman-
"The fourth floor, Doctor... room 402..."
Tyrone-
"Doc! These freaks like Mary... They still gotta walk in the door or crawl in the winda or somethin'... What are you gonna find out lookin' at giblets?"
The doctor was gone up the stairs. Tyrone glanced at the pile of supplies to be hauled.
Tyrone-
"... I ain't gonna do that."
Abdul-Rahman-
"Perhaps we can find a woman to do this, it is a simple task."
Tyrone-
"I usually ain't one for that, but I'd make a baby carry this shit 'steada me.."
Doctor Victor, move to the 4th floor to witness the gruesome-osity!>>DOCTOR VICTOR The good doctor trotted up the stairs with ease, especially since no one was particularly paying attention. He thought he heard Tyrone complain but it really didn't interest him too much; he had about as much sense as a 'shade-tree mechanic.' He passed the time wondering how long it would take them to figure it all out, but dismissed it quickly enough. Best not to dwell on the lie, just live in it. He reached the landing for the fourth floor quickly enough. The room was easy enough to find, though the empty hallways did seem to cause the good doctor more room for pause than he would have liked. "402..." >>GM
The doctor found a trail leading to the door, dark brown footprints coming in and out around a certain door. A bottle of bleach sat nearby, empty. Not enough to lift the stains, apparently. The door was taped around the edges with bright red masking tape, laid over multiple times. He could still smell it. Pus, blood, excrement, the whole library of human fluid. The door's knob turned, and he could just slit the tape with a pocket knife, or peel it away if he decided to enter.
>>DOCTOR VICTOR "I guess I should have had one of those knives from the kitchen... but... it peels away like a banana skin." The doctor pulled his shirt over his nose, knowing full well the stench would pass eventually. I'm just doing this to cover the majority of my mucus membranes from exposure. Right-o."I could use some of the ammonia up here anyways; that usually kills the smell of body fluid. But brown isn't exactly any decent clue. Time to step within their hell and my science lab slash crime scene. Am I talking aloud?" The doctor opened the doorway, leaning back to avoid a possible dripping of random fluids on his messy hair. I bet I could find some hair product in here that people haven't scavenged at least. Ho ho ho! Maybe some pills that druggie kid haven't kiefed yet either.>>GM Much later in the stairwell, Tyrone lugged a canvas dropcloth awkwardly bulging with crapola up several flights of stairs, then dropped it on the landing and slumped to the floor.Tyrone- "Fuuuuck this." He went out the door to the roof.>>GM
The first thing the doctor saw was a huge wooden cross. It was bolted fast to the wall, at least three feet high. Next to this, was a strange object nailed, smears of darkness tracing up to it. It was dark in this room, heavy blinds covered the windows, only the vaguest line of sunlight glimmered through at the edges.
The doctor walked in, the scent of decay and infection was powerful. He shone a light on the nailed object. It was a hand, a purple skinned and bloated hand. Its fingers were curled around the nail in its palm, an amusing juxtaposition next to the huge cross, some parody of the stigmata. It had tracers of blood running behind it, like motion lines. Nails followed along it, as though they were in hot pursuit.
The room's furniture was large, overstuffed and dusty. Plumes of dusty particles flew in front of his flashlight beam. A huge sofa was overturned, and shoved into the corner.
Clumps of hair, bloody chunks and splats polka-dotted the walls. Ancient looking family photos of some dowdy blonde people were now decorated with a new pattern.
Pieces of furniture were tossed this way and that, as though someone had simply been tossing them around casually. A huge heavy recliner lay on its side, soaked in some pale, viscous substance.
In the center of the floor, an enormous black stain. Little flecks of black covered every surface nearby, like there had been an explosion of blood. Discarded bloody sheets were wadded in a pile.
He bent down to examine details, and saw flecks of hard white. Perhaps shards of bone. There was no scent of gunpowder in here, at least insofar as he could smell anything over that powerful biological scent.>>GM
Marie-
"I can't imagine what it was like for you, but I do find it disconcerting. A gun has obvious utility right now, but it still feels more dangerous than I'm comfortable with."
Hector-
"Half of the people I've seen holding guns today are dead now."
Marie-
"Chilling."
Luke-
"I seen those youngsters use those guns... Killin' those crazy people! ...So many bodies... All tangled up in wire..."
Hector-
"Where did you guys come from?"
Luke-
"I don't remember. I left my car there, I'm pretty sure of that."
Marie-
"Uh huh. I heard that your group came from the mall. Is that true? Do you remember a mall?"
Luke-
"Umn.. Yeah. Yeah.. I was at the mall, and I was holdin' my keys. Oh it wasn't because of the car, it was because someone bothered me, and I was gonna.... poke 'em.."
>>GM Much later on the rooftop, Tyrone emerged to see Kaito on the roof, looking at the world around them in silence.
Tyrone-
"Mind if I smoke, man?"
Kaito-
"Nn."
Tyrone-
"I got th' impression you use that noise for 'yes' and 'no' ... a bit confusin'."
Kaito-
"No one cares if I say yes or no."
Tyrone-
"Mm-hm." He lit up and slouched near Kaito, leaning on the little bit of wall at the roof's edge. "Hey, it's alright tho'. Ain' no big deal what anybody does."
Kaito-
"True."
>>GM Kenny opened the door, and Seth peered out, and slowly crept up the stairs. He came back down about five seconds later.
Seth-
"Looks good to me. There's like one guy at the end of the alley but he didn't even see me."
Thierry-
"Alright. Let's--"
The north stair door opened nearby. It was the expedition, the people on their way out. Quentin, Jaclyn, Eddie and Sharma.
Thierry-
"Seth, perhaps we should put this on hold a moment longer."
Seth nodded.
Thierry-
"Eddy, are you four ready to leave, or do you need anything else?"
Eddy-
"No, we're good. We're just gonna take off."
He looked to the bicycle rack, and went towards it with some wire cutters.
Seth-
"The alley is pretty clear, we blocked the north end. Would you like us to clear an opening for you?"
Eddy-
"Oh that'd be swell."
Quentin unlocked his own bike, and looked back at Seth.
Quentin-
"Well, now you're the president huh? That's... just weird."
Seth-
*shrugged* President of one building... I feel hopeful though. I feel hopeful for you too."
Quentin didn't seem to know what to say. Jaclyn took a bike from Eddy, and turned to Seth.
Jaclyn-
"I know this is the best thing for us to do, but it's still good to hear that. Thanks."
Seth nodded.
Seth-
"Keep safe everyone. I guess we probably won't see each other again, even if everything goes perfectly."
Eddy-
"That's what Marie was saying upstairs. It's true. Well, it's been real champ."
Anna-
"You're me in an alternate universe. I about 48% want to go with you."
Quentin-
"A quantum physics joke, haha. What is quantum you going to do? Come with us?"
Anna-
"Mm.. no. I go it alone. I'm rough like that."
Thierry looked at Sharma very emotionally, and didn't say anything. Sharma occasionally returned the look, and went back to sorting himself out. Finally...
Sharma-
"Vat Thierry?! Don't gib me dat lurk!"
Thierry-
"Stay alive old man."
Sharma-
"I bill! Gard."
Seth gestured for Davin and Thierry to come ahead with him to clear the way for the bicyclists. Pretty much everybody left the garage except Bryce and Kenny.
Kenny closed the door behind the last bicyclist.
Bryce-
"Phew. Whatdya think? Are they fuckin' nuts? Or are we?"
Kenny-
"Both. Neither. Damn. What's the sane thing to do when shit's totally insane? Beats me."
Bryce-
"...So you like Slayer?"
>>PATTI Patti came back down in the middle of a conversation about music. Unless engaged, she didn't bother inserting herself into it. She lingered near the exit, where she was standing when Thierry's group came down and said their farewells. She thought about offering one of the shotguns to the group. Then she thought of how many people they had to protect here. She approached the group discussion quietly but unobtrusively, the shotgun under her left arm, with the barrel pointed directly at the floor. When there was a moment, she addressed Eddy in a tone not intended for everyone in the room to hear. "If you think you guys could use a shotgun, there's three more upstairs, I think we could spare one and maybe one box of shells. If you want." >>GM Later in the alley...Eddy- (to Patti)"Hell yeah, I'll take that. Where did you get those? Find a redneck's SUV? Were y' at a pawn shop when the shit went down?" >>GM Seth, Davin and Thierry moved to the end of the alley, dispatching the straggler who still meandered around at the end. There was a vague moan from behind this blocking dumpster at the other side, but the zombies had neither the climbing skills nor strength to overcome the obstacle. Quentin examined the bikes, and advised Sharma on proper technique. Jaclyn looked nervously back at the dumpster.>>PATTI "I'm the redneck. And a competitive shooter. The guns are in some bags in the community centre, with Hector. Take the camouflaged one with the clip on the stock that holds rounds. It can only hold two at a time, but it reloads quickly with that clip there. It takes the 12 gauge shells; you should take about forty or fifty rounds. The ammo isn't meant for taking down big game, so it will only be effective on a human skull at fairly close range, maybe twenty feet. I'm not gonna babysit you, I trust you'll only take as much as you need, you know we've got a lot of people to protect here. We can start making an opening here for you, while you get the gun." The gun she described to him was the double barrel Citori, her least favorite for the purpose that lay ahead of them, but still effective. >>GM
Jaclyn-
"I'll be faster than Eddy, but still not fast enough I think you guys should start without me. I"ll get it! What did it look like again?"
Jaclyn got the info and took off like a shot, not someone with a gravity issue like burly Eddy. The alley outside was secured on one side by a dumpster, and as people talked quietly and stayed close to the building, none of the few random zombies on Harrison Street seemed to take note of them. Davin came jogging back from dispatching one that had gone up the alley.
Thierry looked at the shotgun with distaste, but outside of anyone's notice. Anna came up to Patti.
Anna-
"Wow. You've got mad guns. You think you'd ever try zombie bashing with sticks? Might be easier on our ears. And save ammo."
"Don't annoy my gift horse in the mouth, if you please."
>>PATTI "I'll take the suggestion under advisement. Ammo conservation is something we need to be careful with. We'll certainly need it more when we're leaving town than while we're here. That said, I don't plan on getting close enough to these things to get scratched or bitten, thank you very much." >>GM Seth walked back to take stock of the conversation, and take notice of the gun. He didn't look overly shocked, but obviously chose his words carefully.
Seth-
"Hi, I don't think we met. Was it 'Patti?' If you don't want to get close, that's cool. Maybe just hang back and if anyone needs any... uh, shooty help you can go ahead. Probably don't wanna make any more noise than necessary though."
He nodded in an attempt to look reassuring, and continued back to the end of the alley. He said to Thierry,
Seth-
"Oh yeah, wouldn't we need ear protection if we had guns? When I was a kid and my dad made us go hunting, they always stuffed cotton balls in my ears and they still hurt. I was like... 4, but still..."
Thierry-
"I wouldn't know Seth. Guns are illegal everywhere that I've lived for more than two years."
>>PATTI Patti chose to ignore the idiots that wanted to throw away useful tools for whatever misguided political ideals they had. Guns were tools. Outside of the United States, many nations had high levels of gun ownership with extremely low rates of gun violence. It was government and police incompetence as well as cultural bankruptcy that made guns unsafe. This was the fucking Apocalypse, not a trip to the zoo. "I'm not an idiot. I had no intention of firing into melee with a shotgun." Eddy laughed and patted her on the back.
Eddy-
"You're alright, baby!"
Quentin-
"I hope Jackie isn't too winded from the stairs..."
Eddy-
"She'll be fine. Those zombies are dumb fucks."
A little longer passed, and Jaclyn came out, panting a bit. She verified with Patti that she had the right stuff, and they mounted the bicycles.>>GM
Seth, Thierry and Davin made up the front as before, and went around the block slightly to create a distraction for the bicyclists. Patti quickly moved out of the alley and around to Westlake, horrified by the stupidity of this whole maneuver. She stayed close to the building with the gun ready, safety off point down, watching the fight.
There were about twenty zombies close enough to be a threat, and they instantly began staggering toward the brash men. The guys ran to engage individual zombies, not letting them cluster, and easily out-maneuvered them, also drawing them away from the intersection with Harrison.
That was a less disturbing thing to see than the ripple effect. As soon as these zombies began to move with purpose, zombies from farther away and farther still began to notice. Hundreds more zombies a few blocks away began to shamble in their direction.
Patti couldn't help but notice also that while the men were very effective at killing the zombies, Davin and Thierry both sustained minor scratches. What if the doctor was right? How was Volya? What was going to happen after this shit incubated?!
The bicyclists emerged from the alley, waving at Patti and the others as they went. As they rode away, Jaclyn jingled the little bike-bell and smiled.
Anna and Jackson ran out behind them and helped Seth and company finish off the close zombies.
Seth-
"Hey, wanna move the cars anyway?"
Thierry-
"I suppose. So Derek volunteered his truck, but more than one vehicle would be preferable, wouldn't it?"
The party fell back on Harrison, out of sight of the zombie hordes further away on Westlake. Patti stayed facing Westlake, waiting for the hundreds to start coming around the corner, not sure how long that would take.
Anna-
"Thanks for watching our backs Patti! We'll be quick."
Seth- To Thierry
"Yeah, check this one out..."
Seth jogged up Harrison a short way and pointed out a large Dodge minivan with the back door hanging open. Davin stood near Patti with his weapon ready, also a bit paranoid about the scene they'd made.
Davin-
"If you're gonna do it, do it already!"
Seth-
"Hey Anna, you're the lightest, wanna steer?"
Anna-
"Sure."
They ran over to the grey van, and Anna hopped in the back seat, climbing forward to put the car in neutral. Derek and Alex got together and pushed, trusting the others to take out any Terry Avenue zombies. Thierry and Seth ran around crushing a few heads, but the zombies mostly moved out of the way of the car.
Alex & Derek pushed it into place in the alley, diagonally, but blocking the other end for the most part, saving space for Derek's truck. Anna hopped out the passenger door, on the alley-side.
Seth ran back to make sure they had things in order, and Davin joined Thierry near Terry Ave, dissuading the gathering dead.
Patti saw a zombie stagger into view, but was somewhat relieved to see it shambling as fast as it could in the direction the bicyclists went, ignoring her.
Anna-
"So ya just..."
Seth climbed through the back seat, from the outside, and opened the inner door on the alley-side, hopping out.
Seth-
"Just like that."
>>GM In time, between breaks and zombie bashings, they got Derek's pickup parked sidelong beside the van, with only a minor scrape.
(That Derek had to flip about.)
They created a tunnel of cars, once could open one car door, and move through to the driver's side, step out and and get in the other car and out the other side. (If one was of a mind to, they could just jump on the hood and run across.)
The zombies could open the car doors if they really wanted to, so the inner car doors were kept locked, because that particular requirement was beyond their minor cognitive capacity.
The alleyway was sufficiently blocked from view on both sides. The zombies could be seen through the car windows, but if those in the alley spoke quietly, they went beneath notice.
Seth-
"Great work everyone! Now when we can, we can put a fence up, and move the cars."
Anna-
"I'm really curious about this other building."
Anna gestured to the building that formed the other side to the alley. It had a rolldown and two emergency exits. It had a bland, commercial design and no readily apparent mark of distinction.
Anna-
"Imagine if we got that place cleared out, and lifted that rolldown. It's not as tall as this place, but it'd really give us some room."
Seth-
"I like that kind of thinking! We should get in there as soon as we can. It's a bit late today though, I think we should go inside and help."
Everyone was a little sweaty, but Thierry also looked emotionally exhausted.
Seth put an hand on his shoulder.
Seth-
"Hey, doing okay? Worried about Sharma?"
Thierry-
"And other elements. Don't worry. We'll talk about everything later."
( Patti and Alex presumably follow others to the 6th floor thread. Feel free to post here with their reactions to the previous scene, etc.) >DOCTOR VICTOR Fighting the urge to gag, the doctor tried to remind him all the other horrible scents he had encountered in his professional career; two-tooth-rot, cellulitis under the old lady's panis, pylonidal cyst ruptures, cafeteria meatloaf Mondays. He tried to inhale as much scent as he could, praying his system would adapt and smell nothing. Unfortunately, it only caused him to gag further. The doctor let his attention slide to the hand which was nailed to the wall. His first thought was either the thing broke away from its wrist or it was a victim. Sad thought Mary would attempt to murder us all by the crucifix. But at least Alex wouldn't be singingNearer my god to thee" as some sort of mantra. He'd probably just scream. He checked for any sign of gender from the hand, nail polish, hairy knuckles, callouses, jewellery. Moving through the room was akin to a nightmare for someone with a need for order, for the doctor it was more like minesweeper with italian leather shoes. Dr. Victor was never very good at minesweeper. He glanced at the stain in the center of the room, kicking the white flecks vicariously with the bloodstained white sheet. His nose continued to assail him, especially when the thought of identifying the odor tried to break through the necrotic tuna-sandwich smell. Dr. Victor thought back to the swarm of insects, or rather floating head, or whatever it was, he saw drifting towards Mr. Page on the roof earlier. A horridly archaic thought came over him. I wonder if that is how Mary got to be so... Mary? He shuddered at his medieval thinking. If Mary wanted to get everyone outside, it could have been because of that. If Mary simply was trying to help, she could have fallen a victim of it WHILE she was outside. I'm just glad we haven't encountered any more of those swarms. People would certainly just loose it like in that one suicide by nature movie. The doctor moved out of the stuffy living area and continued to asses the surrounding rooms for any other clues, bathroom, other connecting areas, closets for new shoes or better clothes. If there was some way for the swarm to enter, the doctor was determined to find it. He needed a better timeline of events, though, but his own needs were pressing him forward. It certainly wasn't the desire to get out of the stinky cesspool wanna-be Vanderbuilt mansion!He knew none of the other half-wits would have the stomach, balls, or brains to scavenge from here; and he better not let anyone know he was doing this either. Death by association. Or guilt by grave-robbing or what-have-you.>>GM The Doctor came to assume the hand belonged to a female, there was no obvious evidence of hair, and the fingers, while now bloated to sausages, were delicately boned.
As he continued to inspect, he found some cut zip-ties, perhaps something that was used to bind the creature. He walked into the kitchen, and found the refrigerator still full. The floor was wet with standing water, presumably they had not done their work on the freezer that had been done in the other rooms. The sink was empty.
On the outside of the fridge was a list of "allowed foods" seemingly from a doctor, some sort of special diet. A leftover bowl of rice, sugar free peanut butter, sugarless jello in individual cups. A loaf of 'diet' bread, wilted celery. A carton of caramel ice cream was shoved near the back of the freezer and was still frozen. Ice cube trays full of water. Plenty of canned goods in the cupboards and half opened boxes of cereal.
The bathroom had various toiletries that could belong to an older middle-aged woman. Lots of pale pink bottles. Some minor first aid items and various prescription medication. Framed inspirational quotes about walking in the sand with Jesus.
The bedroom was similarly full of prescription medication, unmade bed with ratty blankets, wadded up tissue everywhere. Smaller wooden crosses over the bed.
The clothes were mostly designed for a large woman, but he saw potential in a shapeless black wool coat, probably reserved for funerals. There was the odd man's red flannel shirt sitting on a hamper, it would be a bit baggy but not bad. The shoes were all fit with orthopedics, and incredibly frumpy. Some costume jewelry on a dresser along with some tacky knickknacks. A few scented candles that might come in handy.
As for clues, he came to learn that the dweller of this apartment was named 'Doretta Harman", age 48. She seemed to live alone, but had some kind of male guest on occasion. (A man's razor by the sink, another toothbrush of a different brand, a pair of over-sized work boots in the closet.) He found a bloody towel in the hamper, wrapped around a large kitchen knife. This blood was less fetid than the blown-out explosion in the other room. There was a bloody hand print near the floorboard, and a large dark stain in the hall, dribbles followed from it to the front door.
Was there a second crime here?>>DOCTOR VICTOR "Curious indeed." The doctor kept the scene in the bedroom as his own personal piece of detective fiction. The tissues indicated some sort of illness, most likely a cold, virus, or infection. Certainly not enough to have caused spontaneous human eruption, but at least the medication was a decent find. The bedroom did not seem to be too much in terms of what he was hoping to find; apparently the lady had a lot of frump in the trunk. Nauseatingly obese and most likely some self-inflicted diabetes which could have been avoided if she was as devote to her diet as she was to god. Still, the additional food meant longer without needing to scavenge from other buildings. And dumping out the contents of the hamper proved to provide no solace for the doctor in terms of what he found. Sure, the knife wasn't that horrible. It was the parachute panties... the stained parachute panties wadded up like some cloth glasses or fundoshi. Dr. Victor began to collect what he could from the place, cans, medications, and other dry food items. He nicked what he could for toiletries which may be used by either gender, soaps, toothpaste, razors, deodorant, cotton swabs, toilet paper. He paused at the candles, and decided against smelling like rosewater or 'morning refreshment' as the building smoldered around him. The last things he stashed were the boots, coat, and flannel shirt. "If she did kill this man, probably an estranged husband, I hope I don't have to deal with that. But, I guess they burned the body AND whatever was left of the woman. Maybe she wasn't possessed at all? Maybe they just got sick of her?" Snark-ily, the doctor opened the freezer and pulled out the ice cream. He knew this was most certainly not on her healty-restriction list. At least Micah will like this. I just don't think my point was made clear enough for him, but should he do as I think he will, he can have this as his reward. The doctor let his grin show his teeth as he set the ice cream down to go. "Well, Dr. Victor, I must say, it seems people who are sick are far more susceptible to whatever floating diseased swarm there is. At least Mary probably had some form of anemia and this lady was suffering from acute loneliness and the sniffles... oh, and fat." The doctor turned to leave. >>GM The doctor was able to leave without incident, closing the door behind him. The hall was dim, with daylight coming only from the windows in the elevator lobby around the corner. The stairwell, at least, had windows. He went to it.>>DOCTOR VICTOR The good doctor was in such a decent mood for a change; at least the air out here didn't seem so stale like before. The contents of the hamper hardly weighed him down at all. It was this mood that was destined to be spoiled but he was unsure exactly how. It never fails. I find one pleasure and get all Job on my singular joy. Just have to keep my-Tumbling was not a strong suit for the doctor. He wasn't a gymnast nor some weird street busker who used trashcans and old lady walkers as terrestrial trapezery. But, the thud did seem to knock the wind out of him. The landing on the fifth floor was now a decent resting point as momentum stopped. Dr. Victor sucked air through his teeth to keep from screaming. It wasn't pain he felt yet, just shock. "Take it to the Dr. Johnson in colorectal surgery and pump the jack to ten! For shit and monkeybrains I will flay from the tips of their hair to the trimmings of their toenails whoever left this impediment in my way! I almost fell on my face! If I bruise I will sue for sure!" The final phrase brought a shrill laughter through the doctor and he brought himself up to his feet. Glancing at the canvas, he turned over the cloth to peek underneath. The contents was familiar; and he truly had only himself to blame. He laughed again to keep from screaming and punching the wall. The tears which signed his face felt a little warmer than he would have liked. It was just another day at the end of the world. Dr. Victor began picking up the chaos at his feet, reorganizing it slowly into more manageable loads. >>GM Tyrone came in from the roof and saw the doctor at the landing below him.
Tyrone-
"Oh Doc, I'm sorry. I jus' lef' that there for a little break. Let me help you with that. They're sortin' ever'thin' out through the door an' about thirty feet."
>>GM After a while Tyrone went back into the stairs, waving goodbye to Kaito.
Kaito-
"Nn."
>>DOCTOR VICTOR "Sort? Well they can sort what I don't claim!" The doctor let his vehement response drip with as much draconian hording instinct as possible. "I obtained these and I will use my sound judgement on which items I donate for the greater good and which items I can utilize better than anyone else." His hands moved like a striking viper swiftly stuffing a small carton with condensation into the basket. He studded the black. Oat on top of it and gripped it tightly. "I mean, yes. I understand the need for banding together. It is a mandated thing now. I just want some simple pleasures while they still exist. No disrespect, Mr. Page but I'd like your discretion on this please. It's a surprise." Warming up with the sneer-grin the doctor hardly felt confident in his actions. He waved his free hand in a dismissive motion and once things were gathered again he spoke back in his haughty tone. "Right then, please lead the way, Mr. Page." >>GM
Tyrone-
"Whatever you say, man..."
Tyrone & Doc V moved on to the 6th floor, finding the meeting being set up. It was easy for Doc V to keep what he wanted and leave the rest in supplies without drawing attention. Move to 6th floor thread! >>ALEX After the doctor said his piece ...Alex had to steel himself before he raised his hand to address Dr. Victor. The climactic brain eating scene in Hannibal played again and again and again in his damnable mind's eye. Ugh. Jesus. Alex had never been so nervous around somebody. Where did his confidence go? C'mon, just treat the man like a professor; they were harmless eccentrics. Nat was right. Doc wouldn't kill anybody. He seemed overly eager to heal, in fact. "Doctor, do you have any EpiPens in your bag right now? Or does the medical place have some? I left mine in my dorm. If we go, let's pick one up. And are you like a priest? If somebody tells you something, will you keep it secret?" >>DOCTOR VICTOR Dr. Victor shrugged absently at Alex and his incessant questions. He kept his words on a less haughty and more professional track, but it became clear his displeasure was manifesting. "I suppose I still have to abide by HIPAA if I am going to bill you all for my time when this is done. I'd prefer you trust me to keep confidences instead of making me swear to the law, however. I will state information to our noble leader only if needed for a security or medical reason. For example, if you come down with a flu, I believe you should be quarantined but it seems we are under a different quarantine all ready. If you come down with a case of roaring REEHEEHEEHEE's then I think that too should be discussed. Your genital warts, diabetes, and allergies are all safe within my discretion, Alex. No need to hold me to the law." The good doctor glanced around to field any additional questions but clearly displayed a look of annoyance, disinterest, and apathy. >>GM
Seth-
"Okay, let's go ahead and talk about ghosts. Who'd like to start?"
Sarah-
"I almost got killed by one. It's hard not to just freak out thinking about those things, but my inner scientist tells me that we just have to try to get all the facts out without emotion. There's two different types of ghost, there's these uh.. silent ones that glow and just look sad. They don't come after you.
Then there's the dark ones, they don't glow as far as I could tell, they've got these shadows all around them, and they try to touch people. Those ones, if you look in their eyes, you'll be paralyzed. I think this happens to everybody, it's not just a fear thing, there's something else to it. If they can touch you, it's like they pull your soul out of your body, because right away there's a ghost of you there, one of the .. sad ghosts and your body stays there as a zombie. Just instant zombie status."
There was some concerned chatter.(DOCTOR VICTOR-- When she mentions the darkness swirling around the ghosts, it made you think of that swarm thing you saw on the rooftop. Could that just have been a dark ghost approaching? If so, then dark ghosts do not turn people into Mary's, they just turn them into sad ghosts and zombies.)
Seth-
"So if you touch them you die. Now Davin said bullets go right through them. Did it seem like they actually grabbed people then?"
Sarah-
"It's hard to say. It looked a bit like that."
Tyrone-
"Ah yeah, it's kinda weird. It's like... not like in the movies where they just like transparent and then go through stuff like nothin'. It's like, there's some kind of floaty liquid. When the bullets went in, you could see a ripple, like it touched something. I remember that."
Seth-
"Can they go through walls?"
Sarah-
"Yes but for some reason, they don't. We saw one of the sad kind put its head through a rolldown in the mall, but the dark ghosts just tended to go through openings. I never actually saw one pass through something."
Stevie-
"Still, probably a safe assumption they can, given you saw the other kind do that."
Seth-
"It might be an explanation for why we haven't seen them though, maybe they need an entrance to get in and we had all of the doors and windows shut. Still like Stevie said, we should be cautious until we can know these things for a fact. I wonder if in order to grab someone, they become partially more substantial. If they can do that, I wonder if they can be physically attacked at that time. We can discuss that more, but what do you think would be the wise thing to do to avoid them?"
Sarah-
"The most obvious thing about them that could help tip people off, especially in the dark, is the smell."
Seth-
"They smell?"
Thierry-
"This is starting to sound like they have a physical substance. An odor is a molecule that touches scent receptors in your nose."
Sarah-
"Yeah, they smell very strongly... a kind of mushroom funk um... but something else like a chemical, like nail polish remover or alcohol."
Seth-
"How bizarre... You can smell them before you see them?"
Sarah-
"Not always. I say for me about.. maybe fifteen feet."
Seth-
"That's useful information. So if someone was in a room where they smelled that, they should wake up anyone, and run away?"
Sarah-
"Yeah, there doesn't seem to be anything for it. If they touch you, it's just over... If they look at you, and you look back, it's over, but you can be distracted away from it if someone covers your eyes. They usually move kind of slow, but they can move fast. The only way we were able to survive them is to run away."
Seth-
"So what does this suggest to everyone?"
Sarah-
"Obviously we shouldn't go to sleep unless someone's watching out for that stuff, until we know more."
Seth-
"So keep that in mind everyone, as we make our sleeping arrangements. Does anyone else want to add a comment?"
>>DOCTOR VICTOR "I have seen what it was before it took over... er, well, killed someone. When things started to go to a - when things took a turn down a- After seven pm yesterday, I made my way onto the rooftop and I met Mr. Page, who was smoking. I thought it was just an illusion or hysteria, but I saw a swarm, a dark, nasty, headshaped thing... floating or flying through the air. It moved ever so slowly and was attracted to people. Well, it was attracted to Mr. Page. Dr. Victor took a deep breath and continued. "As far as I could tell, it was silent... and I didn't ask Mr. Page if he had seen it because I didn't think it was real. I'm sure he might not have even noticed it coming towards him because it was flanking him, though I am unsure if that was it's- I mean, that is what the black swarm intend- er, instinctive, er... I don't know if that is what the black swarm tried to accomplish. You'll have to forgive my lack of words because I still am in the dark as to what it is or was or could be or..." The doctor slumped a little. "There is something else I want to add. I have a theory, and I do not like what this theory may or may not cause. Of all the victims, I noticed a pattern. Well, all but the beat cop who drew down on Mary. They were all sick or had a weakened immune system. I believe Mary may have been anemic or worse before she was afflicted. I noticed that Dorhetta, I doubt I'm pronouncing that name right, was ill with some malady as well as being diabetic. "If there is a connection between a weakened immune system and these attacks, it may mean we have a defense against them. Even more reason to go to that clinic and recover whatever we can. It is why I suggested quarantine when I mentioned the flu. It is just a theory, but it may explain why an encounter Alex, a very healthy and virile man, and myself had successfully avoided an untimely demise at the hands of Mary." The doctor kept his gaze lowered to the floor, his chin now resting on his chest. He sat down, attempting to not crumple under the weight of his own words, a deep sigh escaping regardless. He lifted his head to look at Micah and then back down to his horrible and stained shoes. His expensive and now grotesque footwear almost made him want to cry. >>GM Seth nodded to the Doctor sympathetically, assuming he was wrought with complex emotions for those lost.
Seth-
Excellent doctor, thank you. We'll have to take extensive notes about this, find out everything about people who were possessed. We had assumed that Doretta was just some kind of high-powered zombie who had pretended to be normal. This is more serious than that, I see now. Perhaps if we can find out how this happens, we can learn how it can be avoided or even cured.
I will tell you more privately at a later time. Now as for these ghosts, Sarah says it could happen to anyone. Eye contact and touch seem to be the keys. This other kind of ghost though, can they become the 'dark' kind? We'll have to find out more, there's a lot left to learn.
>>GM
Seth-
"Now I think it's a good time to talk about our sleeping situation. It's probably a good idea to have at least one roommate. This apartment building has 1-3 bedroom apartments, mostly two bedrooms. I'd like us to fill up the 5th and 6th floor, and I think we should be able to do that. I'd recommend choosing groups of at least 2, 3 preferably and 4 might be pushing it but possible. Those who lived here before may consider moving up, or may stay in their own places if they'd really prefer. Marie?"
Marie-
"Please come up here and write your names on the board as you form groups of roommates, and we'll assign you to an appropriately sized room."
PLAYERS! Choose your roommates! You may choose from PCs or NPCs, but be sure to ask them first. >>DOCTOR VICTOR The doctor pursed his lips, glancing around the room. He knew many of the previous tenants had made arrangements based on their first night. Taking a few strides, he finally made his way to Micah's side. He opened his mouth and stopped, his eyes sliding to the hamper in the corner. Dr. Victor stuttered a bit before turning to the basket. Reaching inside, he pulled out a cube-shaped object and tucked it into a black coat. He stepped back towards Micah, making a weak attempt at a smile. His voice held the tone of their shower, with a thin layer of bashfulness. "Micah. I, uhm, well...Would you like to be my roommate? I think Seth will still give me one of the better rooms as an incentive and I can't think of anyone else I'd rather have share this with me..." The doctor exposed the corner of a carton of ice cream. "I figure you'd appreciate it because you don't have to cook it." Though his face was less than brilliant, his eyes were wide, and slightly shimmery with some emotion. Micah bit his lip, who the hell would want to room with the guy labelled a "raging asshole"? Alex was already going with Nat and... that chick. He didn't want to be stuck with the Pringle Popper, or the old crazy old guy Luke. He almost didn't noticed the doctor suddenly at his side. He looked kinda shifty with a coat-covered object tucked at his side. The man was stuttering? Wasn't Micah supposed to be the awkward one? "Sure, why not? Sounds like a plan." Micah smiled in relief. Ice cream? He was hiding ice cream like it was a bag of dope or something. Micah fought back a grin. "Thanks a lot, that's... ah really thoughtful." >>NAT Nat listened as things were discussed - their earlier tasks, the doctor's clinic, the undead. He frowned slightly as Sarah began to speak, watching her a moment, and then lowering his eyes. His first instinct had been to flee, but he wouldn't have left her - would have left the others, but not her. But what if the ghost had reached for him, after...? Would he have run, if it had torn her... ghost? out, instead of that poor woman in the parka's? He bit his lip as Sarah went on, and tentatively reached for her hand after she had finished speaking. He wasn't much used to being comforting, but he'd try, damnit! "Um, we, um, we were going to... room with Alex, right...?" He glanced up at Sarah after Marie's announcement, offering a quick and somewhat shy smile. "It... it should be safer, that way. We can, um, keep one person on watch while the other two sleep." He paused a moment, and glanced back toward Alex for confirmation - but Alex seemed to be distracted and distressed about something. Nat frowned a little, then looked back to Sarah. "I, um, I wonder if we could take one of the, um, the dogs with us. They, um, might help alert us to... things." Really, he wanted one of the dogs (maybe one of the bulldogs?) for totally practical reasons, and not so he'd have something small and furry to keep him company during watch.
Sarah-
"Good idea! I bet Zoe knows if any of them have owners or anything we need to know about. Let's get one of the fuzzy lil' guys!"
>>GM Anna came up to Seth.
Anna-
"Hey, I think there's a hole in doc's theory about the possessed. Not that I have a better idea, but I saw a cop get possessed who - as far as I could tell - was perfectly healthy. At least until he said 'This flesh dies!' and blew his own brains out, not that that stopped his wriggling... Ugh, anyway - Hole in theory. Whaddya think?"
Seth-
"Jesus Chri-- Wow. Wait-- 'This flesh dies,' damn!! Doretta said that too!"
Anna-
"Sonofabitch. Well... Crap. All these possessing freaks are getting their dialog from the same source. But we don't really know how it happens. I don't think Alex and the Doctor were saved by their health either. They were cut loose when the cop shot at Mary, so it was more like they were saved by a distraction.
Though in defense of that idea, I don't know why she didn't possess them. Maybe that was part of it."
Seth-
"Maybe they can only possess one person at a time. That guy had a gun, and they didn't. They probably would focus on people with good weapons so they could kill more people."
Anna-
"Because killing people turns them into zombies, and if the whole agenda was genocide, that's it. Like direct orders from the Gutless Boy."
Seth-
"Gutless B-- oh the mummy kid. Yeah. Well, I don't know why our Doretta got possessed, and not any of the strong dudes in there fighting her."
Anna-
"Again, how does this possession start in the first place? We weren't there for Mary's, but we did see it happen to the cop. If somebody was riding around in your body, you'd think they wouldn't be able to control their own body at the same time. So why was Mary able to skitter around while the cop was doing stuff?"
Seth-
"Maybe it's just like making a new zombie, made a new... whatever they are."
Anna-
"I dunno. Oh my god... so, Doretta was somebody who lived in this apartment building before the crap. If she was possessed the same way the cop was, than that meant someone like Mary gave it to her, and you have another possessed creep that's been in this building, that you didn't know about."
Seth-
"I don't know how that's possible. We locked all the doors right away, and it happened in the middle of the night, no one came in or out..."
Anna-
"They can climb the walls and shit. Did she do that? Mary did."
Seth-
"Uh, only a little. She mostly just floated and tossed furniture around... Her body parts crawled around..."
Anna held her head, cringing.
Seth-
"Yeah, not nice. I feel bad... I guess there's not any way to save her, she destroyed herself.. but I hoped we could cure her or something. We got her tied up, she couldn't get away or hurt anybody other than psychologically. Then... ugh. It was awful."
Anna-
"Mary talked to doc, I wonder if he can remember everything she said to him. Maybe you put that together with what you heard from her, and figure something out."
Seth-
"Yeah, I'll have to get some good notes. There's gotta be something here... it doesn't seem random, there's gotta be a trick to it."
Anna-
"Whelp, gotta find me a roomie..."
Seth-
"Hey maybe check with Susie, she's a nice lady, real chill."
Anna-
"Cool. See ya around chief."
Seth smiled, glad to hear the 'see ya around' part.>>BEN "If those dark ghosts are some kind of gas or something, perhaps they could be dispersed or destroyed with fire?" Ben suggested. "Maybe a torch on a ten foot pole?"
Seth-
*Seth blinked a few times* "Oh wow! That's a great idea, Ben was it? We'll have to try that. Hey..."
He pulls Ben to the side for a moment.
Seth-
"I was thinking, would you like to be on my council? Did you write one of the proposals? Whoever wrote the one about the treadmills, I thought I had to get that guy's smarts on my side. What do you think?"
Ben-
"Oh, sure. Yeah, I wrote that proposal. I'd be happy to be of service."
Ben tried but failed to contain the happy smile of a student getting a gold star from his teacher.
He had no idea who to room with. It wasn't as if he knew the Daiso people well enough for that to be a natural choice, and he couldn't really think of anyone else he really wanted to room with. So he decided to wait and see which groups developed on the whiteboard.
Jackson-
"Hey Ben, if you don't find anybody, I can room with you. Anna said no to me, ha."
Ben-
"She did? I thought you guys were close? And thanks for the offer. I think I might as well take you up on it right away."
Ben was quite relieved that he wouldn't have to go around and ask any groups if they'd take him in. Because that would've felt awkward, even though he was pretty sure that he would've been able to find a suitable group on the first try.
>>ALEX As people wrote their groups on the white board, Alex stepped away from the crowd and sat in an empty part of the community center. During the meeting, he'd kept quiet about his own possession theories, since he worried they'd cause the whole group to turn on him. And now he couldn't even ask the doctor for help. Hearing voices that said, "Come into the fire" was a lot closer to REEHEEHEEHEE territory than allergies or (ahem) warts. But would silence endanger his roomates? What about the others? Alex would rather die than hurt someone like Zoe or Micah. He needed guidance. Who could he turn to, though? Maybe God would send a sign. Alex closed his eyes tightly, clasped his hands, and started to pray. Dear God, what can I do? I'm really scared right now. I don't know any of these people, and I miss my family. Who can be trusted? Why was my soul so weak around Mary? Are you testing me? De profundis clamavi ad te, Domine … and so on. He intended to pray until somebody interrupted him, or he passed out. Whichever came first. >>NAT "Okay! I'll ask her." Nat smiled a bit more broadly than usual, happy Sarah agreed with him. "Um, but I guess I should check with Alex, first... Um. One sec." Nat got up and made his way over to Alex. He was sitting with his eyes closed, hands clasped in front of him, and was mumbling. Praying? For everyone's safety? Nat tilted his head to the side, watching Alex a moment before realizing he would need to say something to get his attention. "Um. Alex?" So... maybe it was kind of a squeak, so what. He cleared his throat, trying again. "Alex? Do, um, do you have any problems with dogs? M-Maybe we can bring one with us, to uh, to help keep watch? Um. If that's okay with you, and if you're still okay with me and Sarah rooming with you..." It seemed like a good idea to make sure, before he wrote anything down on the whiteboard. He'd have to go find Zoe too - but the little girl couldn't be too far. Who here was her mom, anyway? Chantelle? Nat looked away a moment, scanning over the group in search of the little girl or Chantelle... "They're our best friends," he offered. "Dogs. Love them. I'd like to be roomates with you guys." After he wrote their names on the board, Nat wandered his way over to Chantelle and Zoe. He offered the pair of them a nervous-quick smile. "Um, hi! So, are you in charge of all of the pets, Zoe? Do, um, do you think I could help?" He lowered himself to a crouch to be more on the girl's level. "We - me and Sarah and Alex, I mean - we could look after one of the doggies that doesn't have an owner here?" Zoe examined Nat carefully, trying to determine if he was a worthy owner.Zoe- "Yeah we got a lot of pets that need a home. I was just gonna let 'em stay with me but I guess that's a lot of pets huh..." Chantelle- "Uh, yeah." Zoe- "That funny doctor guy liked the puppy Snoopi, but she doesn't have a home. Also there's Tony and Pepper the french bulldogs, but they have to stay together! There's also Benji the Jack Russell and Bob the cat, they should stay together too. Maybe ask the doctor if he wants Snoopi, otherwise I think you would go well with Tony and Pepper." Nat smiled at Zoe. "I can take care of Tony and Pepper. Do, um, do they have any toys or anything, from their apartment? Which, um, which one were they from? I could go look..." Nat paused, glancing over toward Alex, Micah, and the Doctor. He wasn't really sure what they were talking about, but he didn't feel like joining the conversation - he didn't really trust the doctor very much. "Maybe, um, I could check the other rooms, too. Did um, you already gather up all of the kibble and canned pet-food?" He glanced at Chantelle questioningly. Zoe- "Sure, I'll help you..." Chantelle- "We have some dog food for now, but we might have to switch them over to table scraps eventually. I guess as chef I'll have to feed both man and beast!" Zoe and Chantelle led Nat around, getting him the appropriate squeaky toys and nubbly fuzzle things and cans of dog food. The little buff colored dogs pranced around and followed them, along with a herd of other assorted dogs and cats, until Nat was at last back in his room with the two little beasties, and neither roommate present. He did find a nice big white beanbag chair though.>>PATTI NOTE FROM GM-- I made a mistake with the vote tally, Ben actually did vote for Patti too.Patti looked around. None of these people trusted her. Marie seemed practical, but there was that shit abut Patti not showing a desire to win. A desire to win? What kind of babbling bullshit was that? Fuck her. Only one person voted for her plan, that was some guy named Daniel. She didn't know who that was. Ben and Sandy voted for Dr. Victor's plan, which wasn't that bad. Ben was one of the first people she met, but she didn't feel like he knew her well enough to room with her, or vice versa. Now she knew how the nerds felt in school, always being picked last, even if the event at hand required thinking or knowledge. If she thought for even a second that she'd be safe alone, that's what she'd go with. Even if it was safe here, she wasn't sure she wanted to stay as a permanent outsider. She approached Seth. "I know nobody wants to acknowledge the utility of firearms here, but we've got three shotguns and four handguns that I think will contribute to a safer situation. At some point, you're going to have to decide what to do with them. I'm keeping one of each for my personal protection, and for the distinct possibility that I feel it necessary to leave."
Seth-
"Okay ma'am. Hm, how about we put them in the community center in the cupboards, and if we have some kind of attack in the building, we can go get them. Or if we go out outside on a trip, we can take something.
I think it might be a bad idea for people to carry a gun, because of the threat of possession, we don't want a possessed person to be armed and we don't know what causes possession yet. I do appreciate it though, and you're free to do what you like of course."
She thought for a moment and added "It's not improbable that the zombie shit can be spread like a virus to the scratched and bitten, so you might want to keep a close eye on those people that paid the price for wading into melee with the things. Good luck, your highness."
Seth-
*looks slightly offended* "Uh, okay ma'am."
She approached Ben, who appeared to be hesitating to make a move with the Daiso girls. She guessed she could see how that might be awkward for a guy like him. "Hey, Ben. I know it's a little awkward rooming with someone of the opposite sex that you barely know, but I think you're one of the only people left here that trusts the gun nut enough to room with her. Unless you don't, in which case, I understand. How about it?" The black woman who sounded a bit more on the 'military leader' side earlier, and had backed Patti up, approached her.
Lashonda-
"Hey there, I don't think we met. Peg and I were thinking about rooming, thought you might like to join in. You had some good stuff to say earlier, I thought."
To Lashonda - "Thanks. This whole situation's got me on edge and I get a feeling some people just aren't taking it serious enough. I was just talking with Ben here about rooming with him; we met up last night when all this shit started. If he's got something else going, or whatever, I'll let you know." >>ALEX Alex's prayers were interrupted in the middle of Pentitential Psalm 130, quia apud Dominum misericordia, et copiosa apud eum redemption, for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. He opened his eyes and looked up. There stood Nat, and perhaps Alex was just delirious with fear and religious fervor, but Nat sure resembled an angel. He was bright, even in the failing light, his blonde hair a halo. This must be the sign! Alex tried to hide the reverential expression plastered across his face with a friendly smile. "They're our best friends," he offered. "Dogs. Love them." Do it, Alex, say something about the hell voices! "I'd like to be roomates with you guys." Okay, fine, say something after supper. Maybe tomorrow. He wanted to learn more about this Doretta person first, anyway. >>ALEX Alex grinned at Chantelle. "Like the Cicada Club?" In response to Micah's question, he said, “Haven't had time for many hobbies or anything exciting lately. Uh, this End Times business doesn't count. My day's usually morning and evening practice with the team. American baseball team. Then studying. I'm a straight B-minus student." He smiled. "Emil and I like to do Guitar Hero and DDR on the weekends. Oh, I bought a Wii last month, but we only use it for the sports games." Alex tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Me and my ex-girlfriend took dance lessons for a couple years. It was the only time I could touch her without enraging the Lord." He laughed. "At least, that's what Mom and Dad said." Whenever Micah is done with Chatty Chatterson Alex, I can move this back in the canon thread.>>GM The board began to fill up with groups of namesMarie Chantelle Zoe Sarah Nat Alex Bryce Kenny Derek Columbo Thierry Kaito Tyrone Anna Susie Kerry Daniel Floretta Jaylyn Sandy Sonya Ione Lilla There were some remaining people drifting around. Volya Hector Seth Stevie  Luke Davin Jackson Lashonda Peg Jonah Basil Abdul-Rahman Some looked like they might be about to form groups, or debating requirements.
Seth-
"I don't know Stevie, I think I'll be fine...
Stevie-
"No way! Seth... you yourself said it would be a good idea to have a roommate, what 'bout the ghosts and shit?"
Seth-
"Uh... it's just... your place is so..."
Stevie-
"I know it's a mess, but c'mon! It'll be fun, like the odd couple."
Seth-
"You just want me to clean, don't you?"
Stevie-
"Don't be so cynical, c'monnn!"
>>GM
Davin-
"Hey, my apartment's on one of the lower floors. It's actually furnished and shit, look like you could use some comfort for a change."
Luke-
"Are you trying to seduce me?!"
Davin-
"...No! Jesus Christ. But seriously, if you need a bed I can use my couch."
Luke-
*shifty look* "I'm not sure..."
Davin-
"It's a respect for your elders thing. You may not have noticed, but you're slightly an elder."
Luke-
"I think I know whatcha mean, whippersnapper. Okay but, NO MONKEY BUSINESS."
Davin-
"I think I can restrain myself."
>>GM
Basil
"Oh dear, poor sweet Nat has already signed himself up for a room! I hadn't the chance... Well, there's lots of other frail lovelies who could use my manly protection."
Basil creeped over to Sonya and Sandy.
Basil-
"Ladies! Young lovely ladies... I couldn't help but notice there was no man in your domestic unit. I could be of service to you, should the need for hand-to-hand combat arrives! For your safety, I would strongly recommend having a stout man around that I may throw myself upon a ghost should it intrude upon your tender... dreams..."
Sonya-
"...Uh, throwing on ghost? That doesn't seem... good."
Sandy-
"There's no men, because we like our privacy... from men. So no. Find someone else, thank you."
Basil-
"Oh...! Well. Que sera sera."
>>GM
Kenny-
"Yeah! This is gonna be great. It's like college dorms only we can get our own booze from the start."
Derek-
"We gotta ration that shit. Though I'm all in favor of getting enough that we don't have to be as careful about it."
Bryce-
"Oh man... So you're uh, gonna be in charge of this rationing stuff huh?"
Derek-
"Yup, that I am."
Bryce-
"Um... Think uh, you know since we're roomies and all..."
*speaks very quietly*
Derek-
"I can't believe I'm already being bribed! The world is so corrupt! No way dude. I was in pre-law. I've taken all kind of ethical classes."
Kenny-
"Hey so what if... we like find some booze or whatever while we're out going through other places... we get first dibs right?"
Derek-
"I dunno... Yeah, makes sense to me."
Kenny-
"Well there you go, we just gotta go raid a bar or a dispensary or whatever. Problem solved."
Bryce-
"I love ethics."
>>PATTI She approached Ben, who appeared to be hesitating to make a move with the Daiso girls. She guessed she could see how that might be awkward for a guy like him. "Hey, Ben. I know it's a little awkward rooming with someone of the opposite sex that you barely know, but I think you're one of the only people left here that trusts the gun nut enough to room with her. Unless you don't, in which case, I understand. How about it?" "Oh, I trust you," Ben replied. "Are others really giving you a hard time about the guns? I would've thought guns would be welcome. I know I sure wish I had been a gun nut under these circumstances. And of course we can share a room. Jackson just offered as well, so perhaps we could find a place for all of us? Or split up if that makes better sense." >>GM Marie added more names to the board Luke Davin Volya Hector Seth Stevie
Marie-
We should probably move to get things in place, so stragglers, figure out where you're going and add your name up on your own time, please! There's only so much daylight.
PLAYERS-- just post when you can where you end up going. Remember you can add on to a 2 person group potentially, or even 3, but be sure to ask first, unless you've already had an offer.>>GM Marie- OK everyone... let's talk about rooms. I've added some tentative names to the board here on this remarkably well-drawn and accurate floorplan. Davin has elected to stay on his own place on the 4th floor, so he and Luke are not on here. We've got some work to do, some of these places were empty so we'll have to start hauling furniture. Let's do this."   Everyone set to work. Stragglers don't forget to add your names to the board, otherwise, you can go to your individual room board and talk about what you'd like to do!
NOTE-- I won't finalize Ben's room just yet. Jackson has offered but there's really only room for one other. If Patti would prefer, Jackson will move somewhere else. Otherwise Patti can move in with Lashonda and Peg and their 3 bedroom.>>PATTI (Thanks Brett, I'll edit your responses into the timeline.)(Got one reply down, if Ben would like to respond he can do so here and I'll edit them in... somewhere.  )To Ben - "I dunno. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but every time I show up somewhere with a gun on my person I get the stinkeye. That Thierry guy looks like he'd vote me off the island in an instant. Yeah, I just feel like having familiar faces around, if you know what I mean. Did you have anyone else lined up?" To Lashonda - "Looks like Ben's tied down. I guess we can do this, Lashonda, was it? And which one is Peg?"
Lashonda-
"Oh cool, that means we can get one of the three bedrooms. They're mostly unfurnished, but we get a lot more space to stretch out in. Hey Peg...!"
A very butch, skinny lady came over with a smile.
Peg-
"Hi there, nice to meet ya. Boy, we're gonna have our work cut out for us right?"
"You aren't kidding. I was, um, distracted earlier, did either of you ladies see any promising furniture while you were out and about earlier? We might as well get the nicest stuff we can, y'know, make the best of this." >>GM The dark-haired bubbly woman approached Alex
Ione-
"Hi there! I'm Ione, I really liked hearing from you during the meeting earlier, you sound so intelligent. What's your name?"
Intelligent? Alex had been called many things, but intelligent wasn't common. Well, he did ace all his foreign language classes. He smiled and put out a hand to shake. "I'm Alex, Miss Ione. Hey, what proposal was yours? I don't think Ms. Marie cares if we talk about that anymore, and it's been bugging me." Ione shook Alex's hand eagerly and with a smile full of perfectly aligned teeth.
Ione
"Oh yes, haha, I don't see what the big deal is either. I wrote the one everyone made fun of, about how I was in FBLA and DECA. I just thought it would be good to cite my references you know? Oh well. I hope I can still help out around here, I think I'm really good at organizing people. I was interning at Amazon to do just that. But now..."
She looked a little dejected, sighed and brought back her smile to full beam."I try to not let that get me down though, I think we'll be able to get things back to normal. How about you? Are you from around here?" "OH, yeah! I remember that one. If I knew what DECA and FBLA were, maybe I would have voted for it. Went for the third plan, because I think it'll help the most people." He shrugged. "Uh, I'm really from Northern Cali, well, my parents have a house down on Huntington Beach, too. That's where they're at now." He frowned. "Hope nothing too awful's happening near the ocean. You really think we'll ever get back to normal? The whole world's going to, you know ..."
Ione-
"Oh yeah! It's "Future Business Leaders of America" and "Distributive Education Clubs of America"-- for future business owners and entrepreneurs. It was really useful for teaching people skills and how to lead others. Thanks for telling me that, I was feeling like everyone was picking on me."
"Wow California? That must be so nice! Gosh, it's so rainy here I bet it drives you crazy. I really hope things do get back to normal, it feels so awful to think that our old lives are just *poof* gone, y'know? Were you working around here, or a student?"
"Whoooa!" Alex couldn't believe it! Business and education? "My dad's in business, and my mom teaches! You must be my sister, or something! UH, well, I'm studying at Seattle University. Was studying. Started out trying to follow in my Dad's footsteps with a marketing major, but that had too much math. So English it was. Hey, Ione, what about you? You're so pretty, you have to be married, right?"
Ione-
"Oh my gosh you're sooo charming! Haha, no I'm not married juuust yet, but thank you for asking!
"Math is really tough, that's true. I had to study really hard to get through my degree, there's so much math in business! Well, everyone can't be good at everything right? I think it's best for people to compliment each other, like two halves making a whole you know?"
She smiled flirtatiously, but was interrupted by Marie calling for everyone's attention back at the whiteboard.
Ione-
"Let's talk again later, you're great Alex!"
>>GM The sun was setting, and the building began growing dark. People began lighting candles and carrying them with them. Due to the still functioning sprinkler system, and remaining batteries in smoke detectors, torches could not be used. The blinds were pulled shut in every room, to ensure the light could not be seen from outside, and people continued switching out for guard duties on the roof, and at the back entrance. Everyone else began to settle into their rooms for the night, working out sleeping arrangements and chatting with their new roommates.Night will fall, time for bed everyone! Hang out with your pals or get to sleep...>>GM >>IN SARAH, NAT & ALEX’S ROOM
Sarah-
"Oh wow, I hope you guys are ready for some work... I could just sleep on the floor if I had a nice comforter. Maybe we should just sleep in the living room for now? Not like it makes a difference which empty room we sleep in, right? Ha..."
>>ALEX "Oh! I got it! Let's find all the beanbag furniture and just ... just make this room into a HUGE beanbag room. It'll be so comfortable! Maybe some weights over there. Oh, hm, think we can find an exercise machine somewhere, too? Those stationary bikes don't need electricity." >>GM
Sarah-
"Oh remember they're getting the stationary bikes so you can charge ipods and stuff with them! Maybe you can ask if we can get one in here, and we can have some music! I love the idea about the bean bags, that sounds so fun. I'll help you carry anything, but I'm not that strong..."
>>ALEX "It will be like one of those ball pits at Chuck E Cheese, but with beanbags! I’m so excited!" Alex has apparently vastly overestimated the amount of beanbag furniture the apartment building contains. "Oh, uh, and we'll need a crucifix over the beds and in every room. Just ... just to be safe." >>GM Sarah looked skeptical.
Sarah-
"I like the bean bag idea but eh.. do you really think the crucifixes would..."
She considered Alex's feelings as she looked at him.
Sarah-
"Yeah sure, I guess it couldn't hurt. If I see any I'll let you know, OK? Let's go get at that furniture..."
Sarah and Alex go on the hunt-- they find exactly one big white leather beanbag chair, and a very small assortment of religious paraphernalia including some cheap rosaries and a small gold cross necklace. Unless of course, they go to the fourth floor... MUAHAHA.>>ALEX Alex will venture to the fourth floor to find more beanbag furniture. He hopefully convinced Sarah to come with him. Alex entered the fourth floor and scanned the empty hallway. His nose picked up a foul scent not far away. Alex swallowed nervously. Was this where the possessed woman died? He had to know more. The sun was beginning to set, but there was still time. Alex and Sarah noticed a door with red tape all around it, that had been slit open. There were faint brown footprints outside of it, next to an empty bottle of bleach. There was a very off smell to this hall, something biological.>>GM
Sarah-
"Ugh, that smell..."
She glanced at the red taped door warily, and back to Alex.>>ALEX Alex took a moment to ready himself, and then he charged ahead and threw the door open. In the dim light, he first noticed the hideous cross. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, Alex glimpsed the single hand driven through by a nail: a grotesque crucifixion parody. He moaned softly. Gore. Gore everywhere. It was rank. And the cross was the most Goddamn sinister thing he'd seen since Mary paralyzed him ... She'd return, somehow. Hell came for this woman, and it would find him. He was screwed. Could anything - prayers, good deeds, religious paraphernalia - save his weak soul? Well, Father always said that God was cruel. "But He is also Mighty," he'd continue. "We must be faithful to Him or burn in hell." Now, hellfire was coming for Alex. Why? Could it be that he agreed to give Buddhism a chance? What kind of God would torment somebody for a peaceful philosophy? In his frightened mind, he distinctly heard his Uncle Brick say, "The White Man's God, of course." Alex realized that he was hyperventilating; then, his face flushed and he stumbled dizzily. Jesus Christ. Was he going to faint like a girl? Faint like a girl in front of Sarah? He reached desperately for the wall, but accidentally planted a heavy hand on Sarah's chest. Alex muttered an apology before he passed out. >>GM
Sarah-
"Alex!"
She had to drag him away from the disgusting door so she could close it. Davin came out of his room nearby, and ran over to help her. Alex felt dimly conscious.
Davin-
"Christ! Kids, what were you doing going in there?! Didn't you see it was taped shut?"
Sarah-
"It was slit open, we thought...! That's where that woman was...?!
Davin-
"YES! That's where that happened, what do you think?!"
He bent down to help Alex to sit up, trying to shake his shoulders gently to wake him.>>ALEX "Hrrrrgh. Coach?" Alex rubbed his face and opened his eyes. No, not Coach. It was Mr. Davin. And yes, he'd fainted like a girl. "O ... oh. OH! Jesus Christ, sorry!" He tried to stand, but had to sit down roughly when the dizziness kicked in. "Just a minute. Uuuurgh. I can't take this anymore. I can't. I don’t want to be like that. I don't want to die. I don't want to hurt anybody. Why did the voices choose me? This is a nightmare, right? My life was perfect. What happened? Why is this happening? I’m sorry, Sarah, I’m sorry! I thought you were a wall!" He stopped talking abruptly. He just had to calm down and speak like a sane person. "Is everybody all right?" >>GM
Sarah-
"Yeah it's okay Alex! We're fine, don't worry"
Davin helped Alex get to his feet.
Davin-
"Seriously, why were you kids poking around in there? I mean, you see a sealed door and--"
Sarah-
"Like I said, it was slit open! We didn't know. Somebody else opened it first."
Davin-
"Why... why would someone open that? I don't fully understand the situation, but Thierry explained some of it to me since I was going to be living on this floor. They sealed it because of that awful smell, and... well... I hope it was just someone hunting around for things to steal and not something more sinister..."
Luke wandered out of Davin's room.
Luke-
"It smells bad out here. Did someone do a number two?"
>>ALEX Alex smiled. "Grandfather Luke, there you are! Demons did it. Not me!" He felt calmer now that the door was closed. "Uh, sorry again, Sarah. That's never happened before. I'm not a wimp. Not usually. Just didn't expect so much blood, I guess, and I need my snackmeal soon. And a shower. Heeey. With the water situation, how're we going to shower?" Though the image of that grotesque cross would always haunt him, Alex now found a great deal of solace in mundane things like planning showers. "Guess there's always the wet towel method. That saves water, right?" >>GM
Davin-
"Yeah kid, take it easy... get some rest and--
A little dog came scampering out, barking at Alex and Sarah. Davin picked him up and made the first different expression Sarah or Alex had seen him make ever, as he snuggled the dog and put his head against it. He quickly composed himself.
Davin-
"Oh go on you two, let's get to bed."
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Post by ◊◊BLOODBEASTER◊◊ on May 7, 2016 16:22:04 GMT -8
>>IN ALEX, NAT AND SARAH’S ROOM >>NAT   Nat returned with the two happy dogs, which ran around yipping and prancing all over the new room. His other new roommates were nowhere in sight...Nat smiled and bade goodnight to Zoe and Chantelle, before leading the two french bulldogs into the room. The pair yipped and pranced about Nat's legs, before scampering off to explore the rest of the room. For the first time since this fiasco began, Nat felt *happy* - the antics of the two little dogs was adorable and lifted his spirits. Although... the fact that Sarah and Alex weren't around struck him as a bit strange. Nat wandered about the still mostly-empty apartment, setting the cans of dog food on the kitchen counter, and the toys (as well as some doggy-beds from downstairs) on the floor for Tony and Pepper. He also shrugged out of his satchel, setting the bag on the floor near the door. He kind of wanted to sit down and get to know his two new furry friends, but... the rather empty state of the room seemed somewhat more pressing. The only piece of furniture apparent was a single, rather sad looking beanbag chair. "Nn. Okay you two! Stay put! I-I'll just be downstairs a minute," Nat called to the dogs. Pepper meandered on out of the bathroom where she had been snuffling around. The little bulldog barked excitedly, running in a little circle around the beanbag chair. Obviously, human talking meant 'play time!' Tony trotted out after her, eager to join in the play. Both dogs would be disappointed, however, as Nat slipped out the door, closing it behind him. He needed to get some blankets, at least - maybe a mattress, if there were any left. Some blankets, comforters, maybe sleeping bags if he could find them? Oh, and maybe a few more candles... and toothpaste... Essentials, at least for the night. They could worry about other things in the morning. ( Nat is... heading off to grab stuff for the room! Maybe he'll run into Alex and Sarah on the way?) >>GM Nat made his way to the 6th floor supply depot, and gathered up some nice cushions and colorful knit blankets. It was starting to get late, and most everyone had gone to their rooms. It was a little eerie and dim out here, and Nat had to balance the stack of bedding in one arm, and carry his light source in the other. He could see glimmers of light from under his neighbor's doors, Doctor Victor and Micah next door on one side and another room on the other. He heard a small baby's cry from behind that door, and the murmur of conversation. It was so quiet without the hum of electricity, he could hear the sound of voices downstairs through the floorboards.Alex & Sarah may come back as they wish...>>ALEX When Alex returned to the apartment with Sarah, he found two new roomies frolicking around the place. Dogs made everything better. "Nat. Is. A. GENIUS." Alex played with the bulldogs until bedtime, his voice an octave higher whenever he said, "Good girl! Where's my sock? Where is it?" During his guard duty hours, Alex spent forty minutes exercising in the dark - he mainly did push-ups, sit-ups, and stretches, since they were the least disruptive option - and passed the remaining time lounging on his beanbag with Pepper in his lap, thinking. Since he saw Doretta’s apartment, something had been nagging Alex. It all boiled down to Mary. When the possessed woman at the mall called herself "Mary," he thought she was being sacrilegious. But what if "Mary" had really been the woman’s name? It was a good Christian name - the best, in fact. And then, Abdhur (he refused to refer to the demon as "Mary" anymore) had remarked, "Your world is so much less vital than the elder times, the times kept alive in the hearts of people like young Alex here. The times when people knew well the fire beneath their feet ..." She was praising him. Alex remembered every word, whether he liked it or not. He possessed quite the memory, actually, which is why he couldn't play cards with a single deck. Stupid Uncle Brick taught him how to count them, and he couldn't help himself anymore. Alex spent the next few minutes being angry at his uncle. Then, he continued thinking about important matters. But why would a demon praise his piety and fear of hell? Doretta, also, had been religious; he gathered that much from the brief glance into her apartment. Oh no. Demons had a FETISH for possessing Christians. His heightened fear of hell must have turned Abdhur on. Alex anxiously pulled Pepper closer. The dog wiggled and ruffed softly, then fell back to sleep. As he gently pet Pepper's head, Alex wondered how many religious people belonged to his new group. He'd seen Tyrone praying. Who else? Maybe, it would be safe to take a tally. He just wished he'd converted to Buddhism when he had the chance. Now, with the evidence piled in front of him, he couldn't deny that they were all subjects to a wrathful god. >>GM >>IN BEN’S ROOM Ben finds his one bedroom apartment the way he left it, save for the door being broken down and the tubs and sinks filled with water. (And covered with Saran -- Per Ben's idea!) Jackson offers to sleep on the couch. >>BEN Jackson was in luck, as Ben had slept on various couches in his days, and had made sure to get one that was longer than most men were tall. In fact, some nights Ben himself had fallen asleep on that couch, no worse for wear the next day. In front of the couch there was a big TV and few different gaming systems, plus all the usual stuff that made up a complete home entertainment system. Bookshelves covered the walls, and where those wouldn't fit, there were anime posters. Ben's collection of manga included a lot of untranslated books, and in the boxes on top of the shelves he stored his cherished collection of hentai doujinshi. Ben's bedroom was equipped with a large bed, and the walls were decorated with a couple of Japanese calligraphy scrolls and similar artwork, which Ben thought looked rather tasteful. Safely tucked away in a glass case there was also a small legion of anime figures, most of which were cute girls. "Yeah. Sonya is really cute. And Sandy too. But I don't really know them. I was just shopping at their store when it all happened. I guess I just thought you and Anna knew each other from before or something." Ben looked around, and thought about what life would be like from now on, assuming it would last for a while. "So how do we do this then? We're supposed to be rooming together to keep a lookout for ghosts, aren't we? Does that mean that one of us would have to stay awake while the other one sleeps? I saw a lot of two-people groups on that whiteboard, and it just seems a bit inefficient to me that almost half the people would have to stay awake to watch over the other half, as opposed to sleeping in bigger groups where one or two could watch over six or seven people. Or are we supposed to just sleep at the same time and take our chances that one of us will wake up if a ghost turns up?" Ben didn't really think that a ghost would appear that night, at least not in his apartment. But one night, in one of the apartments... Unless people were prepared, people were going to die. He wondered if he should make one of those torches on a ten foot pole, just to have one ready? It would probably be a good idea to find some kind of quiet activity to pass the time if they were really supposed to watch over each other. Just not one that was too distracting, in case a ghost actually appeared. Wouldn't do to have one's head buried in a manga if that happened. >>GM
Jackson-
"Yeah, wow this place is cool... Reminds me of my shop, one of the girls there has those little anime figures like you got. Pretty cute stuff. I've done some tattoos with that kinda drawing, it's tough. I really admire people who can draw like that."
Jackson glanced around, nodding appreciatively."Nah, I just sort of knew Anna. I think I did one of her tats at some point, don't remember when or what it was, and I haven't seen it on her yet, haha." He took a seat on the sofa, and leaned back."Glad we don't have to do any work here, last thing I'd want to do is haul beds up stairs.. I feel guilty for not helping, but I'm secretly an old man and damn my back hurts. Haha...
Yeah I don't really get about the ghost thing. Maybe we'll just hang in the living room tonight then? Maybe you can find me something good to read and I can just kick back and hope I smell whatever that weird smell is in time... Or actually, hope I don't have to!
By the way, thanks again. This place like I'm practically back in the normal world." >>BEN "Ha, yeah. I didn't think I'd really see this place again. And if Davin hadn't been at the mall to drag us here, I guess I wouldn't have." Ben was both relieved and put at ease by Jackson's apparent appreciation for Ben's cultural choices. That wasn't always the case with people. He started to go through his shelves, suggesting titles and throwing out brief descriptions. "Let me see if I have something for you to read. If you read Japanese I've got shelves of manga, but I've got some old, translated stuff too, and regular books as well. What kind of stuff are you into?" >>GM
Jackson-
"I like any genre really, I guess comedy sounds good. Honestly, something with pictures would be nice. I'm a boring mono-linguist though, so maybe one of those translated Japanese comics, one with... no zombies. Heh."
>>BEN "Well, how about the adventures of a quirky five-year old?" Ben asked, as he handed over the first volume of Yotsuba&! "I guess you could say that it's on the same 'level' as Calvin & Hobbes? I also have Azumanga Daioh, by the same guy. Very funny stuff." >>GM
Jackson-
"Why not both, I'll take your recommendations! Man, how nice is this? Just get to sit back and read some comics, after that crazy ass day? Man. Now if you had Captain Crunch and cold soy milk in the morning, I'd be your best friend for life. Hahaha."
Jackson took his shoes off and sat back in the chair with the books. Ben noticed he even had tattoos on the tops of his feet.
Jackson-
"Go ahead and sleep without an alarm, I'll wake you up if I can't keep the lids up. Good night man."
>>BEN "Captain Crunch? I think I might have some of that, unless someone collected it. No soy milk though. Only regular milk for me. And I guess there will be no more of that for a while." Ben looked at Jackson's tattoos and wondered if he should ask about them. Or was that the kind of thing that one should hold off on until one knew a person better? Meh. Whichever it was, Ben figured it could wait until another time. Right now he had some sleep to get. "Good night." >>DOCTOR VICTOR After Seth wrote his name on the board with a sigh, he approached the Doctor. Seth- "Hello there Doctor. Do you prefer 'Doctor?' Anyway, I'm really glad you're coming along to the Research center tomorrow. If you get the chance, maybe make up a list of medications we can look for. Marie wanted to go but I said no way with her feet like that. She's going to make up a bunch of notes for us, and brief us, since she worked there. She bets there will still be a lot of employees holed up in there. What do you think? Is there something I can help you with?" The good doctor muttered to himself as Seth approached, thankful for some form of distraction other than the prattling chatter of people who had plans to bed whomever. Well, not necessarily bed, but close enough. "Uhm, it's Doctor Victor, but you can call me Doctor if you feel it is appropriate. If you cannot feel comfortable with the professional title I earned through hard work and years of slavery, you can call me Victor. I will make a list of medications since you asked for it. I will see if Marie would transcribe them down and I can organize them verbally faster than I can with scripting, since I cannot type and I doubt any of you have the ability to read my handwriting." Seth- "Good idea, I will talk to Marie. I don't mind calling your Doctor, it feels natural. I just worried it was something like calling you "Mister!" you know, haha." The doctor flashed his teeth, his lips pulling back in a grimace; maybe a failed attempt at a smile. "Doctor humor. I want to address something, though. I don't wish to make this urgent because of possible survivors stuck at ground zero. I hope that the place has been blown out like an explosion in terms of people; you don't see too much fire at the center of a fire ball. My urgency comes from the medications itself. "I appreciate Marie and her intelligence greatly; I would have whisked her away to work at my campus during different circumstances. I like a girl who can work and broker no nonsense. I just don't think Hope is going to play a vital deciding factor in all this... at least with survivors." The doctor shrugged absently. "As for what you can do for me, I'd appreciate it if you weeded out anyone who would be going with us that would place someone else's life above that of those all ready here. I do not need to have the added burden of twice as many injuries due to, in part, a mistake made when there obviously is nothing that can be done." Seth- "Marie thinks the employees will probably be taking care of themselves. They've a very competent crew. I would invite them to come here, but if what Marie says is true, they might have an even safer building than we do. Marie's only in the state she is because she didn't realize what was going on outside before it was too late. I'll keep that in mind though, I know it's serious." Dr. Victor let his eyes drift over Seth's shoulder, rising on the balls of his feet to do so. "What do you think of Ione? She put forth the zombie treadmill plan. I think she should come with us... or if not, I'd like to have her assist us in setting up plans for construction and development because she, too, has a great head on her shoulders. Just have to keep her, er, well... Sorry, bit running from head to voice back and forth, tiring day, lots of work..." Seth- "Oh you know, I think she actually didn't write that one. That Ben guy did. I asked him to be on my council! Actually, while we're talking about it, I wonder if you would like to as well? I figure you're the official doctor of course, but if you'd like some say-so in other matters I would be thrilled. I understand that you'll be busy enough though. Ione seems nice, I don't really know much about her. She's very friendly." The doctor returned to muttering before adding, "Who do you think is going to volunteer to go?" Seth- "I'm sure Thierry will, Derek will probably volunteer but I think he might be pretty stressed out. I'm not sure who else, but Davin, Anna, Jackson and that Alex kid helped outdoors earlier, so they might volunteer." Dr. Victor nodded to Seth, his head lulling on his own shoulder. "Oh, then that means she wrote... oh, word. It appears as if she may think I was making an ass of myself. I don't hope she thought I was bringing more logic to the forefront instead of stepping on her toes. I hate when people misinterpret what I state; I do wish there was a way I could make sure more people were educated like I was. " "Seth, I appreciate the idea of being on your council, but the practicality of it is rather... uhm... non-existent. In fighting and circular conversations will spoil the fruit it may or may not bear. If there is any hope for real progress, you'd be better to forgo the council and become your own thinking person. Ask questions rather than take demands. A council is more like second guessing yourself in the end." The doctor patted Seth on the shoulder. "Now, about choice of room, since you did win, and by a landslide, I do recall your want to keep me here. And if that other facility has better defenses, and actual victims, it'd be terrible. Oh, come on, don't look so scared, I wouldn't dream of leaving such a nice facility as here with such a great crew." The doctor shrugged. "Some people, eh, Micah? No sense of humor." Micah smiled at the poor man at the doctor's mercy. "None, but then Americans are so serious. I'm sure we'll be fine, as long as it's got the basic necessities. An expresso machine, oven, king size beds, surround sound, a gold-plated bathtub, a spa, a pool. Just the basics you know?" He grinned. "Oh, I all ready gave Seth the list. I suppose I should restate it just in case. I need a soft bed, clean linens, hot water in a shower for decontaminating, a phonograph since I'm sure there are not any music players which do not run on electricity. Maybe a locking cabinet to keep the narcotics out of the hands of the more obviously afflicted souls of addiction? I want some form of record keeper. I need a special person who has the skills of medical coding. You know, just in case I can still bill for all this to the University Payroll. A quiet space, maybe a king sized, pillow top mattress, down pillows. Private restroom quarters are a must. And I need personal hygiene products, like toothpaste, and antiperspirants and nail clippers. Maybe someone who can practice reflexology or a massage therapist. I hope that is accurate enough. I have a great memory which helped me get through medical school." The doctor stuck out his bottom lip a little before adding in a lower tone, "It's not always what I want to be able to recall, but I can repeat verbatim what Mary said to me... her rant and gurgling tone is not something I want to experience again, though, but since Marie needs the notes... I'll put my big boy pants on." Seth- (to Dr. V) "I think you'll like this room I found. It doesn't have a record player yet, but I bet we can find one soon. Stevie worked out those hand-crank chargers too, so I bet we can get ipods and the like working in no time. As for your assistant, it's on the agenda. We'll start working out roles for everyone probably tomorrow, unless you find someone you'd like to ask yourself. As for massage, you might need to work that one out personally. It's all in the way you ask, haha... " The doctor let out a hearty chuckle, a sincere smile warming his face. "Hear that, Micah? I am getting an assistant and music. I think this is going to be a bit better than I imagined earlier." He beamed at the younger man, full of vigor and vim. "Let me show you the comfy chair we can bring up for my office. It looks like I'll get an office in here two on the count of two bedrooms. And we're close to the stairwell. And the coffee. I am glad Seth was such a good and gracious host to recognize my importance." He clapped Micah on the shoulder and leaned to whisper, "Don't forget about the cold package..." >>GM >>IN BRYCE, KENNY & DEREK’S ROOM
Kenny-
"Oh my gawd, I can't haul another thing..."
He flopped on a mattress sitting in the living room. Bryce was sitting on one end and bounced around from the shock.
Bryce-
"Ahh... Yeah this could be worse."
Kenny-
"Says you! You moved like, that lamp."
Bryce-
"Hey, it was heavy. It's like, full of metal I think."
Kenny-
"I think you're only used to lifting a doob to the mouth man, haha."
Bryce-
"That might be. I've got some kind of talents."
Kenny-
"Yeah? Like what?"
Bryce-
"Ah, you'll find out. By the time it's too late..."
Kenny-
"Whatever dude. Hey, who's our neighbors? I don't even know."
Bryce-
"Uh I haven't even been paying attention. I saw Abdul and that British guy. Oh yeah, duh. Stevie. Um, Menkowicz? He lives right over here. Yeah."
Kenny-
"Who's he roomin' with?"
Bryce-
"I dunno, I just know he lived here right before the soup went down."
Kenny-
"Oh yeah, I forgot your parents owned this place. That's weird... Did you like, paint these rooms or something?"
Bryce-
"Nah... I just help out a little bit. Nothin' big."
Kenny-
"OK so... what do you think about all this shit? All these weird people..."
Bryce-
"Honestly? You're weird people to me at this point. But cool."
Kenny-
"Better be, or you're sleeping on newspapers, haha. Serious though... I know we can't talk about whether the ladies are hot, but do you think anybody's gonna start some shit or flip out?"
Derek-
"Why can't we talk about the ladies? Ah, decorum I guess. You're a classy dude Kenny. Hell, I hope my girlfriend gets back. Her apartment's in this building, that's why I'm here."
Kenny-
"Oh damn! That's why you have that cat... That sucks man."
Bryce-
"I like the cat."
Kenny-
"What do you think though? I think that doctor's gonna go crazy maybe. So weird."
Bryce-
"Oh yeah. Straight bonkers. Was either of you at.. Doretta Harman's place last night? Just thinking of bonkers..."
Kenny-
"The explody lady? Oh gawd..."
Derek-
"...Yeah. I don't wanna talk about it man."
Bryce-
*sigh*" Just one thing though... was she just psycho or was she really like, possessed? I kept hearing that word tonight. First I hear zombie and then possessed and--"
Kenny-
"DUDE. She EXPLODED. She was floating around and shit."
Derek-
"...Yeah. I-I-.. I nailed her hand to the wall because it was trying to crawl away. F-fucked up man..."
Kenny-
"Derek, hey, take it easy. Let's not talk about that shit. Bryce, why don't you go look around and see if somebody else knows about that if you wanna know so hard."
Bryce-
"Yeah, alright."
(Bryce strolled out.)>>PATTI >>IN PATTI’S ROOM
Lashonda-
"Excuse my language, but I'm pretty fuckin' tired right now. I'm willing to just sleep on some couch cushions tonight, and worry about the furniture later. What do you ladies think?"
Peg-
"Then everyone else will get first dibs and we'll be stick with IKEA futons. I think it'd be a good idea to get while the getting's good, but maybe that's just me."
>>PATTI "I'm gonna have to agree with Peg. It doesn't need to be a Sleep Number bed, but I'm not sleeping on a futon. I heard the doctor bragging on his bedroom. I'm half tempted to go take whatever he's got and replace it with a wet dog bed when he's not looking." "Seriously, though we should see what we can find. If you're wiped out, I can understand. It's been a fucked up 48 hours. Maybe you can stay here and arrange whatever we can bring back." >>GM
Lashonda-
"Haha! You're funny, Patti. Man that doctor... He's from your group right? Such a bitch, damn. I hope I don't gotta get a checkup from Dr. House on crack, god. Anyway, maybe if y'all can drag stuff to the door I can arrange it. I'm tired but I'm not heartless."
Peg-
"I think we should get some of those foam rolls if we can find them, they'll make any bed better, and bet most people are just trying to get the best mattresses. Patti, I'll admit-- I did the sorting and I think I know where the best stuff is..."
Peg led Patti to the supply area on the 6th, and helped her carry anything back to the room.>>PATTI "Peg wasn't kidding!" Patti deposited one end of the mattress just inside the door. "Not just one, but three Sleep Number beds! When we get a little power in the next couple of days we can pump these suckers up and it'll be like sleeping in heaven. We'll be back down with the rest in a minute." Patti actually giggled with her glee. She smiled for the first time all day. >>GM
Lashonda-
Damn girl! Haha, nice score. This place is already nicer than my old apartment, except for the whole lack of electricity and surrounded by monsters thing.
By the way, I don't know what I'm gonna do with my hair... This one one wig is not going to last me all my days, I'm sure, and I can't find shit in the supplies. There's like, no black ladies in this building I guess. If you don't mind my asking, you use a straightening iron? Also, you wouldn't happen to have any hair products with you, by some random, wonderful coincidence would you?"
>>PATTI "I didn't think to bring anything. I'll probably just let it go. It seems like too much work under the circumstance. It's not like there're any of these guys I'm worried about impressing. Woof." Was she gossiping? She never gossiped. She hated gossip. Woof. >>GM
Lashonda-
"Hahaha. Yeah, I'm probably just gonna keep it tight, start wearing bandanas again... You got high standards, I'd think a lot of ladies would be impressed with the muscle on display out there."
Peg-
"I don't wanna bother you guys, still thinking about my loved ones..."
Lashonda-
"I guess I'm lucky to not be very close to anyone. Not that I'd want anything bad to happen to my family, I can trust them to take care of themselves and not lose too much sleep."
Peg-
"She's... my partner's disabled. She's in a wheelchair."
Lashonda-
"Aww. Well, where is she?"
Peg-
"South Everett."
Lashonda-
" I bet it's safer in the suburbs. Terrorist style, they hit the cities big time, but how could they hit everywhere at once?"
Peg-
"Well how could they raise the fucking dead? *she laughed bitterly* That's alright, I'm gonna try to not think about it... or at least say anything about it."
>>PATTI "The closest thing I have to a good friend in Seattle is up in Everett too. I've found if I keep myself busy worrying about myself and those in my immediate vicinity, I don't think about him as often." Patti looked at the mattress they had brought in a minute ago, the other two having already been relocated to different bedrooms. Now she was thinking about Colin and that wasn't going to do her any favors. "What else could we get in here? A couch, maybe some chairs. I think we can save the seating arrangements for tomorrow, but if you think there's anything high demand that we should get tonight, maybe we should go looking for it now. Maybe a battery operated CD player?" (OOC - Patti will be down for just a little more hoarding (er, scavenging) and then agree to call it a night.)>>GM
Lashonda-
"Hey good idea on the stereo, they say we can use a bike to charge shit but I don't wanna have to burn a thousand calories to listen to one track."
Peg and Lashonda help Patti relocate items until they're too exhausted.>>PATTI After balancing their new "boom box" on a small coffee table they had purloined, Patti stretched. A previous conversation rolled back into her mind and she laughed. "You know that Alex kid is pretty fine but, seriously, if there was one thing I was looking forward to after the Apocalypse, it was the lack of preachers. G'night, ladies." Patti left the shotgun with whichever of the two seemed interested, having previously confirmed that they knew how to use it safely, and went into her new bedroom. She didn't feel up to making the bed tonight, so she just tossed the flat sheet over the mattress and called it good. She located the heirloom quilt she had found in one of the rooms upstairs. It wasn't an antique or anything, but you could tell the quilter made it for someone they loved. Patti lay awake for quite some time, thinking about her father, (the son of said preacher she had complained about), her brothers, and Colin, her personal trainer. At least her brothers lived in the same town as dad and she could hope they were together and safe. Colin was a city-slicker, the child of a doctor and a successful restaurateur. He wouldn't know how to survive a dangerous situation unless it involved a rowing machine or a squat rack. >>GM >> IN STEVIE’S ROOM Seth hesitantly entered Stevie's apartment, carrying arms full of blankets. Stevie furiously excavated furniture from under piles of pizza boxes and strange miscellanea.
Seth-
"Uh, you know I noticed there's no one in the apartment next door..."
Stevie-
"You heard what they were sayin' about ghosts! You wanna commit suicide, man? We gotta do this thing. It'll be great, I'll just... clean up a little around here. Been meaning to getting around to that anyway."
Seth glanced around at the porn clippings on the living room wall.
Seth-
"Oh is that Darla?"
Stevie-
"Eh, oh oh yeah, that's Darla. I admire her work."
Seth-
"I forgot she used to be on that side of the camera, haha.. how old is that? I like the hair, so big."
Stevie-
"Oh man, geez that was uh... at least twenty years ago. I really like that look, wish it would come back."
Seth-
"Ione has pretty big hair, but it needs more of that... swoopy stuff in the front."
Stevie-
"Yup, it isn't very long either, and I think she uses it to camouflage having a HUGE nugget!"
Seth-
"Hahaha, so bitchy. It's true though."
Seth tossed the blankets on a pizza box free couch.
Seth-
"So, like any of the ladies here yet?"
Stevie-
"Hahaha. *sigh* I mean... yeah and no. I'm a guy, I look around but... mostly not my type. Rough circumstance too. It's a motherfucker about Tiffani though."
Seth-
*sigh* "Anna? Well, I see where you're coming from though. Damn she's pretty snappy when she's in a bad mood. I think she's starting to come around though. Told me "See ya around" earlier, that sounds promising."
Stevie-
"I just had a good attitude about work. I know it's easier for me, being behind the scenes but, it feels like I'm getting called an asshole just for not hatin' my old job. My yesterday job."
Seth-
"I didn't really hate it either, I don't want people to know about it though. You gotta admit, kinda embarrassing right? I think it's probably harder for women, too. People get the wrong idea about them and... well you know."
Stevie-
"It's easy for me to not think about it. Guess that's a problem."
Seth-
"Hey, just take it easy. She'll get over it, after she sees no one's gonna 'out' her to everyone. She seems chilled out already, and it's a pretty un-chill circumstance. It'll be fine."
Stevie-
"Haha. You... are irrepressible."
Seth-
"Hah, thanks? Hey so, what *is* your type exactly?"
Stevie-
"Oh I guess I'm pretty flexible. It's tempting to say the same shit everybody else says, the hard bodies with the boobs but uh, but to be honest? Slim, but still soft, medium sized boobs, flexible on race not as much into the sisters but that's... y'know, whatever. Personality, believe it or not. I like somebody that don't make me feel bad for nothin'. Lot of people want me to do that."
Seth-
"Daww, that's sweet. I'll keep my eye out. I might need a size chart for the boobs though, like what's the range?"
Stevie-
"Oh, ha-ha. I don't need any help man. You know I'm smooth."
Seth-
"True 'nuff. Hey so... I gotta ask, who do you think is..."
Stevie-
"Ho ho! Already on the lookout yourself?"
Seth-
"Well, like you said, 'I'm a guy, I look around.' Also just for gossip 'cause that's fun."
Stevie-
"Hahaha. Um, I'm not very good at this. I gotta admit. Let's say, what about... that Bryce kid."
Seth-
"You're not just sayin' that 'cause he has long hair or something? Hmm... I dunno actually. He's into that metal stuff but I guess that doesn't exempt you. Any hints?"
Stevie-
"Well, the long hair, and he's bitchy."
Seth-
"Bitchy, yes. Haha.. I'll put him on the suspects list. OK, who I DON'T think is gay is... Derek, Kenny, that Indian kid Alex... Um, some of the new guys I don't remember the names of... OK nevermind. Suspects are... that drama-queen doctor, his little Australian "roommate", their little blond friend, Davin, Thierry, Daniel, that weird old English guy... who'm I forgetting?"
Stevie-
"Wow! That's a lot! You think they might ALL be gay? That's crazy!"
Seth-
"No no, I mean... some of 'em, almost certainly. That's just where I'm starting and then I narrow it down, y'know? Like I thought Jonah maybe, but then I found out he's all sad about his wife and kid. Bam, off the list."
Stevie-
"Hahaha. It's easy to forget you guys gotta do this thinkin', whenever that comes up."
Seth-
"It's pretty fun at least. Easier nowadays, I'm sure. Oh but yeah, TOTALLY the doctor, I think. That guy... hahah. Y'know."
Stevie-
"You think you'd go for him?"
Seth-
"Oh man, he's not bad looking, but SO high maintenance. Oh my god..."
Stevie-
"Hahahaha! Yeah he's a character. What is your type?"
Seth-
"Hm kinda like you, pretty flexible. I guess I'm into people who are different from me. That's pretty weird for the gays, at least that I've known. Most people go out with their clones sometimes, it's weird. Anyway, I used to go for black guys a lot. Now... Hm, I like pretty faces of course... Not too big. Not like, the super butch guys, but I don't like guys as skinny as me. Like that Australian, he's a little too much like, little brother or something. Bryce is kinda little brother-ish too, but... I dunno, hehe..."
Stevie-
"Hahah, sounds complicated. But yeah, if you got any preference at all, you're not likely to fit someone who fits it perfectly, for anybody."
Seth-
"Especially now, ugh. Limited pool."
Stevie-
"Haha..."
Seth-
"Well, lemme help you toss that stuff... oh wait, is that still good? I can't tell."
Stevie-
"I say, if I can still remember when I got it, it's good."
Bryce poked his head in the door.
Bryce-
"Hey Mr. President."
Seth glanced over from the couch, and stood. Bryce noticed the rather... ornate decor.
Bryce-
"Oh man.. Tch.. classy!
Stevie-
"Hey, I thought I paid you to stay the fuck outta my shit, kid."
Bryce-
"That you did, and I am a man of my word. So I'll stand in the hall."
Seth got up to join him in the hall.
Seth-
"Hey, need something?"
Bryce-
"Yeah I was thinkin'... about that stuff with Doretta the other night."
Seth-
"It's pretty horrible, isn't it?"
Bryce-
"Somebody just brought up the subject of people going crazy and it got me thinking... was that really possession like people were talking today?"
Seth-
"I guess so. I didn't know... but the new people said they saw the same thing, even heard the monster say the same thing! It's really bizarre, I guess like... a demon possesses them and takes over their body. Their monster got away though, and even possessed another person."
Bryce-
"Oh like, it jumped bodies like in that Denzel Washington movie?"
Seth-
"Even weirder, it stayed in the original body, and possessed another one. It even ran around in both bodies, doing different things. Maybe it's more like an infection.."
Bryce-
"But they acted like, possessed. So we don't have any idea why that happens?"
Seth-
"Not yet, unfortunately. The doctor had a theory about health, but they saw a healthy cop get possessed so... maybe not."
Bryce-
"So if that's true, maybe it all started with like one possessed person, and everybody else had to come in contact with the possessed person."
Seth-
"Maybe, but how did that happen to Doretta? She was in her room the whole time, nobody came in or out."
Bryce-
"Huh. Well if that's true, then I guess it could happen to anybody at anytime as far as we know."
Seth-
"Maybe..."
Bryce-
"Shouldn't we like, all cover our fingertips with cotton balls and put on muzzles and stuff just in case? Get rid of all the weapons?"
Seth-
"Hahaha... I don't know if that would help. We had trouble with Doretta and she was pinned under a sofa. If someone gets possessed, that's just it I guess, gotta tie 'em up... That's why I wasn't eager to get that lady's guns though, when she offered them. I'd hate to see an armed Doretta.
Bryce-
"Guns?! I hadn't even thought of that... Think I'm gonna nail my door shut tonight. Thanks a lot."
Seth-
"Hey, c'mon. I don't think it's all that bad. We had Doretta sure, but this place has been pretty tight. Those poor new people, they saw ghosts and millions of zombies... it hasn't been bad here."
Bryce-
"Well where'd they start out?"
Seth-
"The mall."
Bryce-
"Like Westlake. Y'know that street over there? It's called Westlake avenue.."
Seth-
"Well yeah, but I still don't think it's that bad. The ghosts would have been here already, right?"
Bryce-
"Well, I just don't wanna see the possessed cop fundraiser parade rollin' down Westlake with a twenty-one gun salute for us. Guess there's nothin' for it! Have a nice night."
Seth-
"Geez."
Seth came inside and closed the door this time.
Seth-
"Stevie, you were right about the bitchy part at least, damn."
>>DOCTOR VICTOR >> IN DOCTOR VICTOR & MICAH’S ROOM "This is adequate, I must say. And FURNISHED... almost, no, better than what I was picking out. I don't even think I'll need the chair from the restaurant now..." The doctor set the hamper just inside the door, the skip in his step evident. Dashed into the secondary bedroom and let out a loud 'Awww!' "It already has an office in here! I mean, it won't be terrible because it is not like I need a computer but I already have a filing system and everything set up. Just have to get rid of all the clutter. And look!" The doctor re-emerged on a high back office chair, dark leather, squeaky wheel and worn wooden arms clicking and banging about through the door. The doctor held his feet up and arms out like he was twelve. "These things are almost five hundred dollars new. Good taste indeed! Oh! Let's check out the bedroom! The guy probably worked so much he didn't even need to change his sheets! Oh, its like winning an apartment on the "Price is Right!" The youthful voice glowed out of him. It could almost be said the man giggled. He certainly let loose a very childish squee! "800 thread count Egyptian cotton charcoal grey! I think I've taken over my swarthy business twin!" The doctor spoke, dragging the sheet out into the living room, still crinkling the grey sheet between his fingertips. All that dropped to the floor when he stared at the chrome and black patent shine idol. "ESPRESSO!" The doctor almost tripped over his discarded sheet, fumbling a bit towards the counter space. The open and raided cabinet smacked him against the forehead, but he hardly notice. Inhaling deeply, he shuddered fully, his eyes rolling into the back of his head. "I think I should learn one of those prayers Alex was saying. In caff-anium coff-icus percula-tum. Jah-vah!" >>MICAH The apartment was straight out of a yuppie catalogue, it was nice in the sense that everything was high quality but it lacked any soul. The doctor was of course, in paradise. Perhaps he could raid another apartment, grab some things to make it more artistic. Some posters or some kind of sculptury thing. Maybe he's just mess it up slightly, the doctor would love that. He grinned, maybe a dog wasn't such a bad idea or a cat. The doctor was talking away, mostly to himself. Micah wandered over to the kitchen area which was sleek with steel and black tiles. Nobody cooked in here that was evident. The oven was still coated in plastic wrap as new as the fucking day it was brought. Everything in the kitchen was relatively untouched and yet extensively stocked. Obviously an apartment where appearance was everything. He glanced over to were the doctor was having an orgasm over grey sheets. It takes all sorts he guessed. He wandered over to the leather couch and slumped into it, it was pretty fucking comfortable he had to admit. At least it wasn't velour, that shit was gross. The ship had been full of it, the customers left bumprints everywhere. Why you'd want furniture like that was beyond him. The doctor had finished his unfruitful praise of the expresso gods, who unfortunately kow-towed to electricity. "Since we gonna be roomates, I uh.. I don't actually know your..uh name." >>DOCTOR VICTOR The doctor shivered and blinked a bit at the disruption of his pleasure. He turned his body to face Micah, raised his head a little until he felt his formality snap. He slumped and looked towards the door- it was shut. He pouted a little and mumbled. "rls." Looking at Micah, he moved a bit closer and whispered into the Australian's ear. The voice was smoother than even the doctor expected. "Charles." He rocked back on his heels, his face contorting like he bit into a lime. "Please, Micah, hold that in confidence. I never thought I'd be a decent Charles. Aaron, or Trevor maybe. Not... Chuck MD. And, I can't believe I even told you that because it is just too personal..." With a heavy sigh, he moved and started pulling out drawers looking for a spoon. Dr. Victor had appeared sad by discovering only one spoon. He pulled it out and twirled it around between his thumb and finger. "So, about this ice cream. And for conversation..." He popped the lid open, scooping out a small, slightly melted spoon, holding it out as he continued his sentence. "I wondered what you wanted to do tonight." He held the ice cream on the spoon like a wand, waving it around, towards Micah. >>MICAH "Charles, huh yeah that isn't going fucking to work..." Micah grinned, would he dare? Yes, he would. "Hmm perhaps Chazza would be better?" He said enjoying the look on the doctor's face, Micah hated that Australian nicknaming process, but in the doctor's case it was amusing. "... Relax, I'm kidding. I might stick with doctor or Viktor if you don't mind though. Watch where you aim that fucking thing, last thing I need is ice cream hair." Micah leaned towards the doctor smiling. "What would you like to do Chazza?" ( The doctor has stolen Micah's face  ) >>GM Suddenly there is a knock at the door!
Whoever answers it finds...
Zoe-
"Hi, I remember the doctor liked this puppy Snoopi, does he want to take care of her? Otherwise, I'll keep her."
>>DOCTOR VICTOR The doctor moved the spoon dangerously close to Micah's lips, his eyes squinting. "Chazza sounds exotic. I actually might like you to say it a few mo-" The knock on the door caused the doctor to flinch, pitching the spoon and ice cream onto the counter with a clatter. A heavy sigh rolled out of the doctor's chest. Lifting a finger to pat Micah on the nose, he turned from the man. "A doctor's work is never done." Upon opening the door, the doctor looked downward at the small girl, holding the pooch. He opened his mouth to bark at the girl, but upon seeing the little thing perk up, he cooed instead. "Yes. Yes we will take Mimi. She will be our little guard dog. Yes you will! Thank you so much, Zoe, you deserve something special. I will be on the look out for your reward; you are so much more mature than the lot of rapscallions out there... yes you are! And you're just perfect and Oooo! I could brush your coat!" The doctor promptly kicked the door shut with the heel of his foot. The animal climbed up his chest, excited and eager as ever. "Ooo... I should get you something to play with so you don't keep us up all night unless there's a scary ghost- Aww! Don't put your paws over your eyes, little Mimi. Come now, I'm going to put you in living room and make you a bed. Here! You can have this old shirt! In you go!" Dr. Victor pulled his shirt off, buttons and all, over his head, setting the puppy in the small makeshift nest. He tenderly pet the small animal until it yawned sleepily at him. Once the animal was resting, kicking and no doubt dreaming about some huge piece of jerky or running in a field, the good doctor turned back to look at Micah. "Uh, I didn't... well, I mean... Look, it is just a puppy... well, it's probably not a puppy, but... Gah, it is a defense against the ghosts, okay? Don't look at me like that." He folded his arms over his chest, the pentacle scar just above his wrists. "Anyways, Micah, I was going to say... I need some sleep. Some good sleep. I will probably get up just before dawn, per usual... if I have a usual. And maybe work out a little with what I have. Are... are you okay with Mimi in here?" He began to remove the icky leather shoes, setting them by the back of the room, near the window sill. "I don't really have to tell you the ice cream is probably not going to make it through the night. It is rather warm in here." The last part came out almost like a purr from a half-panther half-domestic house cat. His approach back towards Micah included a detour to lock the door. He moved back to where he was standing, tossing the ice cream down the sink. With his shoulder turned, the raven gave Micah a stare to rival that of an over-protective brother, the darker flesh like a coat of paint. "You can touch the scar if you want to. I won't mind." >>MICAH "No uh, I think I'm right. A scar is a scar after all. I won't rob you of those grey bits of fabric that tickle your fucking fancy, but I might see if there is a blanket I can nick if that's okay. Don't fucking wake me up if you do. I like to sleep in to a reasonable time." Micah stood up from from the couch giving the dog the evil eye. "I can't promise you emergency rations won't end up on the patio, if she pisses on my clothing or shits in my fucking shoes." Micah got up from the couch, making his way to the bedroom and grabbed a spare blanket from the cupboard before heading back. The couch was pretty comfortable and large enough to sleep without being foetal. The dog made odd yipping noises in her sleep. When the doctor disappeared into the bedroom, Micah picked the puppy up, and placed on the couch with him, waking it slightly in the process. It looked up at him bleary-eyed and went back to sleep with a huff. Micah closed his eyes and drifted slowly into sleep. >>GM >>IN KAITO & TYRONE’S ROOM
Tyrone-
"Hey Kai-to, y'ever use one uh these?" Tyrone had come out of the bathroom with a handgun, which he'd left in there during the evening's labors.
Kaito-
"Nn" He shook his head.
Tyrone-
"I'll show y' more t'morra, but t'night I'll show you th' safety." He sat down next to the man and showed him the safety catch on the weapon. "This stays th' hell ON unless a zombie is in your face, copy?"
Kaito-
"Nn. It's very dangerous, huh?" He accepted the gun from Tyrone and switched the lever carefully off and on, pointing the barrel away from them.
Tyrone-
"If an accident happens, there's a lot uh ways you can get hit where it won't kill ya outright, but still... An' definitely don't point it within ninety degree uh somebody 'less you're OK with killin' em."
Kaito-
"Nn. Thank you."
Tyrone-
"It'll stay in a stash spot 'hind our toilet, so I can stop gettin' funny looks all day." He went back to the bathroom.
>>END OF THE DAY<< |
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